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Homegrown perfume factory

Right now, my garden is a perfume factory working overtime. Mountain laurel blossoms mingle with the sweetness of bridal-gowned Mexican plum.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta (c) Linda Lehmusvirta

Beneficial insects swoop between them and ‘Spring Bouquet’ viburnums.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta
As I pruned ‘Maggie’ at last, I had to stop now and then to “smell the roses.”

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta
Narcissus ‘Falconet’ beckons a tête-à-tête to catch a gentle whiff.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta
I have to get even closer to catch the scent of spring starflowers (Ipheion uniflorum) and the few grape hyacinths I have. These are actually Muscari, though I have no clue which one.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta
White summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) and the flowers of silver bush germander (Teucrium fruticans) are too subtle for my allergy-stricken nose, but they sure are pretty.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta

Here’s a wider shot that includes snapdragons, the first I’ve planted in years. I’m loving it!

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta

Perennial Scotty’s Surprise oxalis (discovered by Scott Ogden) and winter annual snapdragons appeal more to the eye than to the nose.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta (c) Linda Lehmusvirta

This bed is more structural than fragrant, with young pine muhly (Muhlenbergia dubia), shrimp plant, Yucca ‘Margaritaville’, pink skullcap, dwarf Jerusalem sage, purple heart, heartleaf skullcap, and winter annual stocks.

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta

Still, the Jerusalem sage has a slight sage-y scent, and the stocks are nose-stoppers!

(c) Linda Lehmusvirta

Sadly, the 89° last week means that my stock of stocks is about to run out. Fun while it lasted! In April, I think I’m going to install Texas Superstar angelonias in their place.

Event of the week: The First Austin African Violet Society hosts its 44th judged show and sale “African Violets and Other Wonders of the World” on March 17 and 18 at Zilker Botanical Garden. Guaranteed to make your indoor garden as glamorous as the one outside!

See you next week, Linda

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