Re: Fondling..and Garden etiquette
> Scenario: You are touring a garden and see a plant labelled 'Rosemarinus
> scentus v. extraordinarius'. You've read about this plant, have heard that
> the leaves have the most subtle and beautiful scent in the whole plant world.
>
> Now, we know you wouldn't nab a cutting, but would you lean over and pinch
> a leaf to smell? Or rub the foliage? Let's assume that just brushing your
> hand over the plant won't do it, like it does for most rosemaries...
>
> Plants stimulate senses other than the visual ones, olfactory and tactile
> being the next most important. If you are a gardener who truly wants people
> to enjoy your garden, how much "fondling" can you tolerate?
My take is that the plant is named R. scentus var. extraordinarius for a
reason. If it's advertised as such without any notices saying not to
brush the leaves, it deserves to be touched/crushed/whatever.
When I taught woody plant identification, one characteristic that I often
pointed out to students was scent. For example, sassafras is easily
distinguishable by its "Fruit Loops"-like scent when you scratch a
twig. If I didn't mention it to the students, they probably never would
have scratched the stems... But since I did mention it, it's totally
unreasonable to expect them not to try it unless I specifically told
them not to.
I think many people get too uptight about their plants. Plants are generally
tough and can withstand pruning, crushed leaves, etc. If you do have
rare species that are very sensitive, then you have no business bringing
people into the garden without telling them to keep their hands off. We're
not all mind readers... I have a cage around my Cypripedium reginae to
protect the plant from squirrels and curious visitors.
Of course, there are limits... I don't like people picking my flowers,
or deadheading without asking me first.
Chris
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