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Just imagine being able to walk into the back yard and experience the myriad of fragrances coming from your own garden. By selecting plants that exude a strong fragrance and grouping them together, you can create a scent or fragrance garden.
If there is enough space incorporate trees, shrubs and vines into the plan. Otherwise you can choose perennials, annuals, or herbs or combine all three to achieve the scents, colors, foliage and textures you like.
Three trees suited to our area that are fragrant are the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus/male has fragrant flowers), the New Mexican locust (Robinia neomexicana) and the linden species (Tilia sp.). Shrubs include the cliff rose (Cowania mexicana) and the sand cherry (Prunus besseyi) which has edible black fruit. The mockorange (Philadelphus x virginalis) and lilac (Syringa vulgaris) of course, are old standbys. Fruit trees could also be used for spring scent: domestic apple (Malus domestica), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), plum (Prunus domestica), and the Shubert chokecherry (Prunus virginiana ‘Shubert'). The moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba) is a fast-growing white and fragrant perennial vine.
Roses are in their own category. There are so many types and varieties to choose from that even a long list would omit some. Perhaps choosing ones that you like at the nursery is the best way.
When choosing perennials and/or annuals you can choose to create drifts of color or blocks of color; either way, repeat the colors for impact. You could also create a "moon garden" by segregating rather than repeating the colors. This consists of white, cream and/or very pale colors that reflect light at nighttime. Many plant species come in a variety of colors, including white or cream. A moon garden is especially enchanting (of course) when the moon shines.
The following are a few of the many scented perennials that do well in our climate. Perhaps a trip to the nursery is in order just to smell the flowers so that you can choose the ones you like. Keep in mind that if you choose to plant in groupings of colors, annuals and herbs can be displayed with the perennials.
Lady'smantle (Alchemilla mollis), ‘Powis castle' artemisia (Artemisia
‘Powis Castle'), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), sweet
woodruff (Asperula odoratum) ~ white, cottage pinks (Dianthus
plumarius), lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) ~ white,
wallflower Erysimum), spurge (Euphorbia palustris), ‘Casa Blanca'
lily (Lilium ‘Casa Blanca') ~ white,
honeybells hosta (Hosta honeybells), various scented geraniums
(Pelargonium
spp.), peony hybrids (Paeonia spp.) ~ white, early phlox (Phlox
maculata ‘Miss Lingard') ~ white, lavender cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus),
pink creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and sweet violets (Viola
blanda) and (V. odorata).
For the first couple of years you may want to use more annuals than you would later when the perennials have filled in the bed. At anytime, use annuals to provide earlier color and foliage, and vary the choices each year for a different emphasis.
Some annuals include ageratum (Ageratum boustonianum), chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus), sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), four o'clock (Mirabilis), flowering tobaccos (Nicotiana sylvestris) and (N. alata ~ white), and pincushion flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea).
Some herbs are available in white (if you're planning that moon garden) or color, such as lavender, some sages, and some bee balms. Here are just a few of the many herbs that would suit a scent garden: common chives and garlic chives (Allium schoenoprasum) and (A. tuberosum), English chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), white sage (Artemisia ludoviciana), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), lemon mint (Monarda pectinata), bee balm (Monarda didyma), ‘Herrenhausen' oregano (Origanum ‘Herrenhausen'), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), garden sage (Salvia officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), lemon thyme (T. citriodora), valerian (Valerian officinalis), and verbena (Verbena teucrioides).
Whether you have a large area or a small one, a scent garden will provide a pleasant array of odors—aromatherapy at its best.
For further information call the Larimer County Cooperative Extension Office at 498-6000 and request Fact Sheets #7.408 - "Trees for mountain communities," #7.229 - "Xeriscaping: trees and shrubs," #7.405 - "Herbaceous perennials," #7.237 - "Edible flowers" and #7.404 - "Selecting and planting roses."
Q: My husband and I have a very large garden that produces much more than we can eat. What can we do with the extra produce?
A: Homegrown vegetables should never go to waste. One idea is to sell your extra produce at the Larimer County Farmers' Market. The market, located at Remington and Oak Streets in Old Town Fort Collins, runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon beginning July 7 through September 29. For information on selling at the market, contact the Larimer County Cooperative Extension office at 498-6000. Another idea is to donate your extra produce to the Food Bank for Larimer County. You can contact them at 493-4477.
Q: My aspen has brownish spots on the leaves. What is this?
A: If the spots are on the upper leaf surface, with concentric, discolored ring patterns the tree may have a fungus called Ink Spot of aspen. This occurs in late spring/early summer, with infected leaves totally brown by mid-summer. Adjacent uninfected leaves will be green. If you would like help in diagnosing this problem, bring in a sample of the tree to the Larimer County Cooperative Extension office at 1525 Blue Spruce Drive. Master Gardeners are on duty from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during July.
Q: I keep hearing about Bt. What is it exactly?
A: Bt is Bacillus thuringiensis and is a naturally occurring bacterial disease of insects. Insecticides have been manufactured that contain these bacteria as the active ingredient. It is considered safe to humans and non-target species. Bt is mainly used against certain leaf and needle feeding caterpillars.
Strawberries
Strawberries should be fertilized with a pound of nitrogen per 1000
square feet in early July. If fertilizer is broadcast, drag foliage
with a sack to dislodge fertilizer from leaves and water thoroughly.
Repeat this process in September. Applying nitrogen immediately before
fruiting causes soft fruit and is not recommended. Strawberry plants
should continue to bear fruit for approximately three years.
Vegetables
Vegetable gardens need regular irrigation to keep plants moist throughout
the growing season. This is especially necessary when the edible
portion of the plant is developing. The addition of compost and mulch
helps to conserve water and maintain even soil moisture.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a leaf fungus that affects many plants. The
fungus produces symptoms that include spots or patches of white to grayish,
talcum powder-like growth on leaves of susceptible plants. Those most prone
to powdery mildew in Colorado include roses, zinnias, columbine, summer
phlox, lilac, grape, apple, turf, cherry and others. Good cultural practices
are the best defense. Plant less susceptible species. Pick a sight with
plenty of sunshine and air circulation to allow foliage to dry quickly
after watering or rain. If needed, use a systemic fungicide to protect
new growth.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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