Homegrown perfume factory

March 1st, 2012 Posted in Insects, bees, bulbs, garden design, native plants, passalong plants, roses, trees, wildlife

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

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

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

Narcissus ‘Falconet’ beckons a tête-à-tête to catch a gentle whiff.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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