Sunday, January 18, 2015

Garden Fragrances: Winter Foliage

Lavender stoechas "Madrid", lavender, fragrant
I adore fragrance in the garden.  So I was delighted to find that there is a new theme in the making: a monthly report on garden perfumes, thanks to Wellywoman.  I promptly set about to check the available fragrances in the small, sunny garden, only to find a curious fact.

As I say, I do love fragrant plants.  But oddly enough, although some are in bloom at present, they are nearly all plants in which the foliage is more noticeably fragrant than the flowers.

There is, of course, the Spanish lavender (Lavendula stoechas "Madrid"), still blossoming sturdily away and feeding pollinators.  But now I have a question: are the bees drawn by the odour of the leaves or of the flowers, or perhaps the deep colour is still the most obvious attraction.  (For pictures of the enthusiasm shown over the lavender on the first really warm morning after some frost, check my earlier Wordless on Wednesday post.)
lavender, lavandula stoechas "Madrid", bee, fragrance
Two other fragrant plants have a few blooms at present.  The Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage) "Autumn Moon" is nearly at the end of its three month blooming extravaganza.  Mostly there are only the maroon-coloured bracts left.  Fortunately, the foliage is still as fragrant as ever, with its minty sage smell, indistinguishable (to my nose) between blossom and leaf.
salvia greggii, autumn sage, fragrant foliage
Salvia greggii "Autumn Moon"
Salvia greggii, Salvia greggii "Flame", fragrant foliage
Salvia greggii "Flame"
And there is rosemary.  Given the size of the flowers, I assume most of the scent is coming from the leaves.
Rosemary "Tuscan Blue", rosemary, rosemary hedge, fragrant foliage
With some plants, there is no question.  The lemon thyme is bloomless; even the wonderful foliage fragrance is only released if the leaves are rubbed.
lemon thyme leaves, fragrant foliage, thymus citriodora
And the Chrysactinia likewise...
Chrysactinia mexicana, damianita, fragrant foliage
Such is my first fragrance tour around the garden proper.  On the patio, however, it is a different matter.  There the rose "Sun Flare", in full bloom just now, has a light, sweet fragrance deep in its classic yellow petals.
Rose "Sun Flare", floribunda rose, yellow rose, fragrant
But for all that, the best scent in the entire yard comes from neither leaf nor flower, but from fruit.  The sweet fragrance of ripe oranges is rich around the laden orange tree.
Orange tree, citrus tree, fragrant

12 comments:

  1. I was imagining taking one of those oranges in my hand and having the scent from those oranges warm my heart. Your post really warmed me up on this cold winter's night!

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it, Angie! There's nothing like the scent of tree-ripening fruit. Take care and stay warm :)

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  2. Very, very envious of your oranges!

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    1. I am sooo glad the property has a mature orange tree on it - I confess to being a bit of a fresh citrus addict ;) I am learning that sweet citrus (oranges, tangerines, and the like) require plenty of heat - which we have! - while the limes and lemons, though more tender, don't need as much warmth to ripen the fruit...

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  3. Have you grown Coleonema pulchellum (aka Breath of Heaven)? Although it flowers too, it's the foliage that gives it its scent.

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    1. Coleonema is definitely on my to-buy list - if and when I can find it... My cousin in San Diego has a beautiful specimen, and I certainly would like to try one here. I do find the fragrant foliage very appealing!

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  4. Amy, με την φροντιδα του κηπου σου, ενα ειναι σιγουρο οτι φροντιζεις …την ψυχη σου!!!
    καλοφαγωτα τα πορτοκαλια…να εχεις μια ομορφη μερα!!!!!
    αγγελικη.

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    1. I am astonished that we have such a beautiful crop of oranges - it makes me very happy! I think the plants are happy also, which makes me even happier... :)

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  5. A fascinating post and how amazing to have your own crop of oranges. Citrus blossom is one of my all-time favourite scents so your garden must smell incredible when they're in bloom. Thanks for joining in the 'scent in your garden' meme. Here's to a year celebrating all things fragrant. :)

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    1. Yes, when the citrus trees come into bloom it is a little paradise out there - wish I could post the smell :) I look forward to continuing to join the meme! In fact, checking the garden for fragrance has already shaped this morning's seed order...!

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  6. Lovely post Amy - like some of the others, I've experienced the lovely scents of citrus flowers and ripe fruits - in January here it's just a happy dream!

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    1. They are a marvel to me even living here with them... So glad you enjoyed the post, Cathy :)

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