Sweet peas, dianthus, bee balm and honeysuckle. All will be given a spot to thrive in our garden this year. Scent is an essential part of any garden, and I always make sure that herbs and other sweet plants have prominence in the garden.
In the last few years, the fragrant aspects of our garden have been getting short shrift, except for some old roses we've planted—which may or may not thrive. Part of the reason why is that I've been getting rid of some herbs. Even though I love herbs, they can get a very shaggy, disreputable look as the summer wears on. That's why we have been ditching them.
But I miss them. I miss the history herbs represent. I miss their wildness. And I really miss their divine scents. So when I sat down to order some plants from Select Seeds, I looked closely at scented plants. Honeysuckle is easy. It's pretty, it grows well in my garden and its scent is divine. I'll give it room to grow in the back of the garden. I picked the "Serotina" variety because it's highly scented and puts on a great show.
Dianthus smells great, and I ordered the "Pinball Wizard" type because it's highly scented and it's named after a song by The Who. I love The Who, so there you go. It's perfect for the front of the garden.
I've had some trouble growing bee balm in our
garden. It can get mighty dry in the relentless sun our yard gets, but I'm trying some "Raspberry Wine" because of its pink/purple color and because, like all bee balm, it's highly scented. It's a middle-garden plant, and that's good, because it likes lots of water. I will be able to give them plenty of drinks.
I'm giving annual sweet peas a shot this year. I've never had success with them whether from seed form or with transplants. The variety from Select Seed I've purchased, "Mollie Rilestone," is cream and pink and frilly and highly fragrant. I just had to try them. Sweet peas are among the most fragrant plants around. I don't know where they will go, but I'll find a spot.
In a few months, I hope to have a garden awash in scent. My Select Seeds plants will help with fragrance, but I'm bringing herbs back as well. I miss their shaggy heads
If you'd like to share your own home memories or tips (or recipes), send ideas to tkwolford@aol.com. Or you can write me via traditional mail at The Farmer's Exchange, P.O. Box 45, New Paris, IN 46553.