More than any other sense, the sense of smell has the power to recall memories
of the past. Perhaps this is because the olfactory impressions are received by
the brain's limbic system, one of the most ancient components that also associated
with emotions. The result is that even a whiff of a certain flower or leaf can
instantly transport us in time to when we first encountered the fragrance. Little
wonder that fragrant plants have always ranked high among Southern favorites.
When placing fragrant plants in the garden, it seems obvious to chose spots where
you are likely to notice the scent. But think also of where you spent particular
times of the day. Perhaps you would like to wake up to perfume of a Gardenia
growing outside your bedroom window. Sitting in the noontime shade beneath a
'Chanel#5' Tree' in bloom can be heavenly. And what better finish can there
be to a day than relaxing in a porch swing and enjoying the sweet smell of nearby
Four
o'clock plant or Jasmine
Sambac?
One caution about using fragrant plants - it's better to plan for a succession
of bloom than have every fragrant plant flowering at once. Too many scented plants
close together will fight each other and overpower your nose. Either space out
blooming times or space out plants.
Don't overlook foliage in this olfactory equation. Many herbs, including rosemary,
thyme, Camphor
plant, lemon balm, and scented geraniums, have aromatic leaves that
you'll notice as you lightly brush by. A favorite trick is planting mother-of-thyme
(Thymus praecox arcticus) between stepping stones. Every time you tread on the
tiny leaves, their aroma envelopes you.
By Alexandra Boutova:
Sometimes we may feel that different scents reminiscence of variable emotions
and memorial moments. The smells get us back to romantic youth and dramatic love,
to merry holidays or sad and pessimistic days of our life. And what may be more
beautiful than magic flowers scents?
From ancient times to our modern strong century many species of fragrant flowers
have been used in perfumery as basic oil component (jasmine, ylang-ylang, rose,
heliotrope, lavender, geranium, etc). Some flowers are worldwide using in medicine
(aromatherapy and other medical affects), also in religious rituals. Some of the
fragrant plants might be very toxic, while many of aromatic grasses are used as
a culinary products.
We invite you for a walk between wonderful tropical plants - shrubs and vines,
flowers and trees, and they all have own unique scent. Sweet, intoxicating, magic…
all perfumes of our dreams and senses.
