Molly Marquand of WILDER quarterly, a new publication all about growing, brings us some tips on how to have your home, garden or office smelling like spring all year round.
For those of us living in the confined space of a city, fragrant plants are a great way to combat city odors, and bring the sensuous and healthful qualities of plants into your apartment. Forget about your everyday roses or irises; beyond the deli and grocery selections, there is a whole world of fragrances just waiting to be discovered. But before we go on, let me throw out a disclaimer: you can't have your cake and eat it too. Some of the loveliest plants barely have a scent, and by contrast, some of the most odorous species aren't half as beautiful as their fragrance. We’ve created a list that includes both the bold and the beautiful.
Sweet olive:
Osmanthus fragrans, otherwise known as sweet olive. Osmanthus is derived from the Greek osma meaning fragrant. In its native China, sweet olive is a symbol of love and romance, and is traditionally given by brides to their new families. The plant puts forth its diminutive little blooms in winter, alleviating some of the leaden quietness of the season. In early spring, sweet olive can be trimmed and pruned (otherwise they can grow gigantic) and placed out as topiary on the balcony.
Jasmine:
Naturally, jasmine makes this list. A huge favorite in the perfume trade, royal jasmine has large, pale blossoms on a long twining vine that bloom summer through autumn. Choose your jasmine's location carefully as the plant will quickly sprawl and wrap around whatever is close by—and it can get pretty messy. Balconies, hanging planters in a sunny window and window boxes all make good spots. Regular pruning of the vine after flowering will help increase the overall vigor and lushness of the plant, and direct sun for at least six hours a day will keep it lustily flowering.
Panama rose:
As the flourishing finale to this list, take a look at the Panama rose. Bright bunches of yellow-centered red flowers attract hummingbird after hummingbird if placed out in your garden, but the plant's main attraction (namely its incredible smell) doesn't appear until after dark. Once you finally catch the blossoms in the act of bloom, you'll find yourself creeping out of bed to snatch the curious, sweet scent again. As a South American native, this plant thrives on warmth and long hours of sunlight.
Depending on whether you are in Los Angeles or New York, we have some other suggestions that may be easier for you to acquire:
- Pelargonium
- Gardenia augusta
- Citrus meyeri
Visit Wilder Quarterly online and purchase the magazine here.
Sweet olive: Give it full sun, and well drained soil, and water sparingly once established. The added bonus of this plant—when neglected, sweet olive is still known to thrive.
