I have little doubt that most people on this planet have their own list of favourite scented plants – scented buy virtue of their flowers, foliage, their fruit and even roots. Many have developed collections of scented plants for their pleasure, for medicinal use or for culinary use. Some have collections of scented plants for the particular pleasure for the general public and/or people who might have a full or partial sense deprivation (sight), or say, be confined to a wheelchair.
There are many gardens, especially in Europe and North America where large collections are to be found. Some of the well-known shrubs are the evocatively named Lady of the Night (Cestrum nocturnum); the night flowering cactus (Cereus peruvianum), one of many night flowering cacti which become heavily scented during the night); quite a few night flowering jasmines (Gardenia jasminoides) heavily scented both day and night; the Rangoon Creeper (overpowering in the early evening and in the morning); the delicately scented powder puff tree (greatly loved by humming birds); and last but by no means least I must not forget to mention some of the plants grown for their gloriously scented foliage many of which will be herbs to be used in the kitchen.
Many scented flowers are produced only during the night and are clearly for the attention of moths and, dare I say it, bats and sometimes other small mammals such as tiny mice. As a matter of interest the scent of some plants is so revolting that their aroma might have been designed to deter human beings completely. Top of the list amongst these is the Durian fruit which is much sought after by large apes (Orangutan and, I have to say, some very odd human beings) who will travel for miles and miles in search of it, and who of course eventually distribute the seed in their travels. Equally revolting are the scents of succulents like Stapelia, orchids like Stanhopea and aroids like the giant Amorphophallus all of which emit a carrion aroma which attracts hundred of flies that pollinate them. Anyway, those oddities are the exception and would never normally be grown in a private collection. Here I am concerned only with pleasant scents.
Other plants which come to mind and are equally worthy of a place are the mints (over a hundred species), the sages and thymes, and plants like lavender, rosemary, ginger and lemon grass – a great favourite in Guyana. In fact the list of aromatic plants which can be grown in Guyana is enormous. Just have a look in your plant catalogues and on the shelves in the supermarkets. It is worth remembering that most if not all of the plants I have mentioned can be grown in well-drained compost in small or large pots, and can form part of your mobile garden – to be brought into the house when you wish to freshen up the place or impress/depress friends. Particularly good in this respect are the citrus, which can easily be kept pruned into shape and which give the most gorgeous scent to the house.
Finally, I saw an interesting spot in a magazine relating to slugs. Someone with a good collection of a plant called the Venus Fly Trap noticed that some of the traps were more or less permanently shut. An investigation revealed that the traps which were shutting were in fact living on a diet of small slugs, were finding them hard to digest, and stayed closed for longer. I wonder whether this form of pest control would have a wider application.
And finally a very Happy New Year to all and may all your dreams come true. Until next week, may your God go with you wherever you may be.
