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Celebrate Your Senses: An Evening Scented Garden
You have permission to publish this article electronically or inprint, free of charge, as long as the signature box is included.Courtesy copy requested. Word Count: 735.For those who are new to the pleasure of growing, welcome. Myfellow Northern-hemisphere gardeners are celebrating the promiseof spring on our doorsteps... "Before me, may it be delightful. Behind me, may it bedelightful. Around me, may it be delightful. Below me, may it bedelightful. Above me, may it be delightful. All, may it bedelightful." -- Navajo prayerThis is an ideal time to curl up with some full-color seedcatalogues (virtual or real) and create your "ideal garden" planfor the year. And don't let small spaces constrict you - thereare abundant options for container gardeners as well! If you'resomeone who's most often home in the evenings, why wait untilthe weekend to enjoy a fragrant garden? Consider plantingevening scented blossoms to enhance your personal space. Thisspring I intend to reinvent my evening scented garden. I'mprimarily a container gardener, so I know that the followingplants can be grown small-scale on a balcony or patio. Gardeningis quite simple; all it requires is awareness of the plant'ssoil, temperature, moisture, and light preferences, and thenproviding as close to ideal conditions as possible. Differentvarieties of the same plant may have unique preferences, so besure to double check this information which is readi...
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...ly found onmost seed packets (or plant ID tags if you're purchasing plantsfrom a retail nursery.) Check out our Featured Products page atwww.SerendipitysGarden.com for online recommendations soon!Imagine returning home in early evening, relaxing on the deckwith a cool drink after an energetic, serendipitously productiveday, putting your feet up and inhaling intense, lovely floralnotes from your evening scented blooms. It's wonderful! Here aremy "tried and true" picks: 1.Summer Phlox (Phlox peniculate)Regular watering in a sunny location suits this plant, though itwill also tolerate light shade. Prefers northern over southernclimes. White, lavender, pink, rose, and red 2-5" blooms, somewith a contrasting eye. Plants can grow 3-5' tall and 2' wide,with leaves tapering to a slender point. Plants do not come true to seed, in other words, whengerminating from seed you'll likely end up with a mixedpink/purple combination. Be sure to pinch stem tips to encouragebranching, and mulch to keep roots cool. Summer phlox can besusceptible to mildew at the end of bloom season, so check forthe mildew-resistant varieties that are available. 2.Common Heliotrope (Heliotrope arborenscens) This plant, whilenot specifically an evening scented variety, has a permeatingyet very delicate, honey-like fragrance that's often compared tothe scent of baby power. White, violet, dark purple or blueflowers grow curved in spikes forming 3 - 4...
..." clusters. Heliotrope grows wonderfully in containers and can overwinter ifmoved to a frost-free spot. Plant prefers regular water and fullsun in cooler climates, but requires partial shade in warmerareas. Grows 1.5 - 2' high, 1 - 1.5' wide.3.Evening Scented Stock (Matthiola longipetula bicornis) Thisplant grows in erect, neat clumps to approximately one foot highand 9" wide, bearing lance shaped leaves about 3.5" long andlots of small, purplish flowers up to 1" across, powerfullyscented with a spicy-sweet perfume. Pick off dead flowers toincrease blooms. Prefers well drained, moist soil and requires at least half theday in sun to thrive. In hot summers and mild winters EveningScented Stock can be grown as a winter annual. 4.Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana noctiflora) Though all nicotianablooms carry a mild scent, this variety is particularly fragrantin the evening, featuring tubular 5-lobed white flowers shadedwith purple on the outside, up to 2 " wide and 3-4" long. Plantsgrow 1 to 2' high.Prefers a light, rich soil soil kept moist and well-drained.Pinch off dead blooms to encourage regrowth (note that thisplant is fuzzy and somewhat clammy when handled, and itself-seeds prolifically when planted in the garden.)I invite you to let yourself dream. Gather your ideas, planaway, and enjoy both the growing season and the eventual fruitsof your labor. An evening scented garden is truly a little pieceof heaven on earth!
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