Fragrant plants essential in summer gardens

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 24, 10 November 1987, Page 4

Fragrant plants essential in summer gardens

The warm longer evenings tempt us outside to tackle some of those extra jobs awaiting us in the garden. This is a good time of the day to set out bedding plants after the heat of the day has passed. Watered well in, they will be standing up bright and perky in the morning. I spent quite a long time this evening bending over and firmly tying down the leaves of the daffodils so that they can be left to dry off, and in the spaces between planted nemesia, antirrhinum and aster which will grow up to hide the fading greenery. I save the stocks to plant by the back door. The

scent of stocks by an open door in the evening is one of the joys of summer. No garden is complete without some of the aromatic plants which so enrich a summer garden, such as the scent of lavender, or rosemary after a shower of rain. Some of the herbs included in the flower garden bear delightful flowers and give the added bonus of the fragrance of their foliage. Bergomot is a very showy plant having shaggy thistle-like flowers in shades of red, pink or purple. The leaves when crushed in the fingers give a delightful fragrance. Lemon balm, the sages, especially pineapple sage and clary sage are other

aromatic plants. Some of the scented pelargoniums are very attractive plants in a flower border and all will add to the fragrance of the garden. One of my favourites is a plant of balm of Gilead given to me by Carol Hitchcock who herself has a delightful herb garden. A tall bushy plant, it has glossy dark green leaves and tall spires of pinky mauve flowers. The leaves when crushed have a camphor like smell which is said to relieve the congestion of a cold when inhaled. Plant a bush of thyme by a pathway where it will be brushed as you pass by. The silvery grey fern like foliage of santolina really

shines at night and when touched or disturbed by a breeze gives off a distinct piquant odour. Lemon verbena, sweet marjoram and the sweetly scented violet odorata blended with clumps of clove pinks will make t a delightful perfumed border. Flowers which can b e dried for use in dried arrangements later should be planted out now. Helichrysum, acrolinium, and statice are some of the favourites which dry so well and keep their colour. Pick them when they are just opening from the bud, tie into bunches and hang them in a dry, airy place out of direct sunlight for two or three weeks until quite dry.

The spires of the perennial astilbe dry very well and sprays of gypsophelia when dried will keep for quite a long time. Flowers of the English lavender picked before they are fully open can be used for lavender sachets and also in pot pourri. Make sure they are completely dry before storing them and keep them in a dry place. They will go musty if they are exposed to damp. Santolina flowers and foliage can be dried, and is useful to prevent moths in wardrobes and drawers. Dry well and crush the foliage. If a few lavender flowers are added to the crushed Santolina it will give a more pleasing fragrance.