Re: favorite fragrant plants
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: Re: favorite fragrant plants
- From: d* f*
- Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 16:08:48 -0800 (PST)
--- "LEE,ANGELA IUE-CHIH" <angelale@ucla.edu> wrote:
> Do you thing Daphne odora or Rhododendron
> frangatissima can do well in
> southern california? I was under the impression
> that they need some sort
> of winter chill. but then, it has been incredibly
> cold lately. (ok, for
> those in colder regions, please don't laugh.
> incredibly cold for me means
> the low 40's F or single digits centigrade).
Angela, I'd agree with Moira that they both should do
well for you in shade with perfect drainage and a
sandy loam fairly rich soil, and if your water quality
isn't the best, you may have to watch for salt burn on
leaf tips over time. (A common problem in parts of Los
Angeles with Colorado River water). Daphne odora is
sometimes just a touchy plant in cultivation anywhere,
usually doing fine for a few years and then dying, so
don't get too sentimental about it. It does seem to
look particularly good in the winter in the SF Bay
Area, and does not need summer heat to do well here.
If you see other rhodies doing well in your area, give
'Fragrantissimum' a whorl, and it can be treated as a
scandent vine against a wall with some training or
support.
>
> We have a covered patio surrounded on 3 sides by
> walls. On the fourth
> side is a large vine of Joseph's Coat rose. the
> individual flowers are
> only faintly scented but because it is such a
> prolific bloomer, the
> cumulative scent can be detected, especially because
> I think the scent is
> "captured" by our somewhat enclosed patio. Subtle
> hint of rose in the air
> is how I would describe it. Pleasant but my
> preference is for the
> overwhelming knock your socks off kind of scent.
>
> Which of the plants you listed would you recommend
> for warm bright
> indirect light? I was thinking of placing pots of
> scented plants on our
> patio for the summers as we have meals there quite
> often.
> Angela
> coastal Los Angeles
>
If you have room at the base of the rose, how about
planting a couple of 5 gallon size Star jasmine to
mingle with the rose? You'd get at least 6 weeks of
strong scent from this, or you could do the same thing
with one Jasminum polyanthum, for fall/winter/spring
bloom. I would also say you couldn't go wrong with a
Brugmansia 'Charles Grimaldi', if you have room for a
large shrub/small tree. This can do well as a large
container plant, but in our climate, they can dry out
rather quickly, and are generally much easier to grow
in the ground. If you can plant it within 10-15 feet
upwind of your patio, you will definitely smell it in
the evenings. The color will also combine nicely with
your rose, which is one of my favorites for the vivid
yellow/orange/red color combinations.
If you have a shady area at ground level with stepping
stones or room for a groundcover, Corsican Mint/Mentha
requenii is one of my favorite scented walk on
plantings, and stepping on this right outside the door
is a pleasant introduction to the garden. For pots,
and in a bright light situation, Gardenia jasminoides
would have a very long bloom season for you, if you
aren't so close to the ocean that you get no summer
heat. Tuberose would also do well for you, and
Heliotrope as well. These all have a longer period of
bloom than most of the others I mentioned, and are
particularly noticeable in summer in southern
California.
Sean's suggestion of Pelargonium tomentosum is also
great for dry shaded places, which tends to make it
more compact. If you are giving it summer water, one
plant can get 8 feet across by 4 foot tall, so be
prepared to pinch! Another more tropical shrub to try
is Murraya paniculata/Orange Jessamine, with a citrus
like scent. I can also vouch for Boronia megastigma,
if you can get it established. Also if you get some
summer heat, Mandevillea laxa/Chilean jasmine is quite
fragrant in the summer.
David Feix
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35
a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
