Scented Spaces, Sacred Places
By:
John Stuart Leslie
John Stuart Leslie
Gardens with fragrance add a variety of smells and feelings that can only enhance the
enjoyment of the yard. It may be a Rosemary twig or an entire Rose garden. The scent may be musky, fragrant,
sweet or spicy. It may be offputting and overpowering, yet
captivating.
When I catch the scent of a certain flower or foliage, I sometimes feel that the
plant is communicating with me. Almost telling me to notice it for if I don't make a special effort to visit the
garden and see whats blooming, I may not notice but for its scent.
I especially notice the scents of my plants and herbs when I am weeding or
kneeling down. At these times, I notice that many plant's leaves and overall aroma has a distinct smell. Ever
noticed that tomato plants have their own aroma?
We pick up hints and bits of information from a plant’s scent. We notice a flower
perhaps at full bloom, bring our nose close to it to capture the full intensity and then look at the flower and
make a connection between what we see and the degree of fragrance.
The temperature of our surroundings has a direct effect on the aromatic oils produced
by the scented qualities of the plants. The aromatic oils from Rosemary, Thyme or Sage are most evident
during warmer weather. Sometimes, you are reminded how hot it is just by the degree you sense the
aromas.
Scents can also trigger memories of when you first actually smelled the scent or with
an event that was meaningful to you. Remembering these certain fragrances with a positive experience can be
therapeutic.
Many plants and flowers provide a multitude of design options to create a scented
garden. Here are a few:
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SHRUBS |
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It should be noted that what produces the
scent is important to know in selecting various plants for the garden and one should not just fill up a garden
with as many scented plants as possible.
Among the trees mentioned, the scent from the
pines and eucalyptus come from their leaves and are not overpowering unless there is a large grouping or the
environmental conditions are just right. On the other hand, the Orange
tree is fragrant only during its blossoming period and is powerful enough to smell without even being
nearby.
Several factors must therefore be
examined:
· Appropriateness in its form, i.e. tree, shrub, ground cover, accent, container or
pots.
· Type of fragrances of similar character may be grouped, i.e. aromatic vs.
sweet;
· Size and form of the plants should drive the placement rather than the actual
scents;
· Time of year the fragrance is at peak. Offset down times with something else that will fill
in;
· Balance the use of evergreens, perennials, annuals so that you don’t have to re-plant your garden
every season.
Accentuate the aroma garden with other
elements that trigger your other senses. Use flowering shrubs and annuals to create color combinations that
brighten the garden and balance your primary scented plants or vice versa.
Edible garden elements will bring a sense of
taste and can be accomplished by using fruit trees, berries, nuts, and certainly all vegetables and cooking
herbs.
Sound can be introduced in windy areas by
selecting certain trees and tall shrubs that make sound in the wind, the rustling of their leaves or
branches.
Without wind or deciduous trees, water
fountains and wind chimes can be used.
So what makes this garden sacred? You do.
Select a particular plant that has a certain fragrance or scent that has special meaning to
you.
Pick a time when this plant is flowering or is
otherwise available to pick a flower or leaf, take it to your designated sitting area and go back in time to
when you first remember smelling that fragrance. How old were you? Where were you? What happened then? You will
most likely remember a pleasant memory, one that brings you joy. What’s that wise saying I always hear?.... Stop
and smell the roses?
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