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By Staff
Writers
With the snow
quickly fading from our yards and our memories, and our focus on the
frozen returning to more positive chillers like ice cream & slurpees,
it would seem that spring has been sprung upon us.
While we soak
up the season, and all of its wonders, many of us will begin to plan
out our summer gardens, both those from which we intend to harvest,
and those serving other, more ethereal needs.
Whether you tend
towards a well organized and thought out seedling propagation, or respond
spur of the moment to the annuals available at your local nursery,
garden arrangements are a superb way of beautifying your home, while
maintaining an important connection between you, and your planet.
Many gardens are
organized based on plant size, and even more commonly, coloration.
Many gardeners target that visual 'pop' that defines beauty and individuality
from their personal viewpoint, giving them many hours of joy throughout
the summer months.
Another way of
drawing pleasure from your garden is to consider plantings specifically
for their aromatic elements. Most of us recognize the wondrous scents
that emanate from our summer gardens as one of their most significant
values, but how many of plant specifically to achieve those scents
- in many cases, they are but a beautiful surprise.
To add abundant
aromas to your garden's flavor this summer, we've assembled a listing
of some plantings that are sure to add some special touches to your
garden - one that you will be able to appreciate throughout the summer,
and for years to come. Consider the following aromatic plantings, and
create your own feast of nature:
Basil
The fragrances
created by this popular herb add flavor to your garden, and to your
cooking. Green basils provide some handsome leaves; or experiment with
the Spicy Globe, glossy Genovese, and burly lemon. Some basils provide
some intriguing purple hues - the smoky color of 'Osmin' for example.
Basil, as is true with many herb plantings, longs to be touched. Rub
the leaves gently, and experience the true range of aromas these herbs
are capable of bringing to your garden, and your table.
Citrus
Add the refreshing
aroma of citrus to your garden. Consider the popular Valencia tree
for years of aromatic pleasure.
Fennel
This herb provides
a robust licorice scent to your garden. Fennel is also said to invite
valuable insect varieties that will serve your other plantings well.
Lavender
Ever popular Lavender
is available in a wide range of varieties, all of which provide a scent
experience that lets you know summer has arrived.
Mexican Orange
Plant a row of
these puffy and wonderfully scented shrubs. Their flowers are especially
fragrant on warm afternoons and evenings, and work beautifully with
a property fence.
Night Bloomers
Consider night
bloomers like Moonflower or Nicotiana Sylvestris around your favorite
after hours spot - who says garden enjoyment need be limited to daylight...
Thyme
Thyme has been
a popular herbal planting for many years. The creeping variety is said
to be wonderful for placement between paving stones. Lemon and lime
varieties add a special 'touchable scent' experience to your garden.
Verbena
Plant this highly
popular scent, (recently popularized in the Zen Garden line of Tea
Tree & Verbena products), and prepare for an olfactory event. Most
known for its lemon variety, check with your local nursery for other
special options available.
Scented Vines
If looking to
create cover, why not add the element of scent, through the use of
any one of these popular scented vines - Honeysuckle, Jasmine, or the
ever popular climbing rose. Wisteria is also a fantastic spring bloomer
that can get your summer off on the right foot!
Water
No, we're not
suggesting water as a planting for your garden (although there's no
arguing the special scents available only after a warm summer rain!),
but for many of us, a soothing water feature has become the must have
garden element of the year. Heading that direction? If so, consider
adding some day blooming water lilies, sure to make your daily refuge
even more special.
Be sure to take
some risks as you develop your garden's personality - there are no
mistakes in gardening, merely experiences that you decide to take forward
another year. Allow yourself plenty of time, and some room for joyful
experimentation so that you may develop a garden that is reflective
of you, through its visual strengths, and its aromatic offerings. Every
garden holds its surprises - we hope you are able to unearth the secrets
buried within your own. Happy planting!
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