The Scented Garden

This week we're going to explore how to have a wonderfully scented garden.

My garden is planted in such a way that I have non-stop wonderful smells all summer.  Right now the lilacs are blooming and we all know how wonderful they smell.   All my lilacs were starts that were dug up from empty fields (with permission).  I have about 150 bushes spread over 3 acres of gardens.  Our remaining 2 acres is grass fields.  

Lilacs by the tool shed...

Lilacs bordering the veggie garden which will be planted this week (rain permitting)...

Lilacs bordering the cutting garden which will be planted this week also...

Lilacs tucked here and there...

On the east lawn...

Back of the border in the area we call the "back yard"...

My favorites are the white.  They seem to have a stronger smell.  Tomorrow I'll tell you where all my white lilacs came from and why they mean so much to me.

What should you do first...

 Over the next week I'll be suggesting different plants to ensure your garden smell delicious for the entire summer.

The first thing you need to get is three or four packages of Evening Scented Stock seeds.  The first time I planted these was about 8 years ago.  It is an insignificant little plant with tiny flowers.  I planted the seeds here and there among my snapdragons and petunias and forgot all about them.  Upon returning home one night my hubby and I were assailed with the most heavenly scent by our back deck.  It smelled very much like Jasmine.  You guessed it!  The smell was coming from those slender little stalks covered in tiny little blooms.  When the sun goes down they release their scent.  Wonderful!

This year I'm going to throw some seeds in my pots along with my usual white alyssum and see how that works.  

The seeds can sometimes be hard to find.  Lilly Miller seeds usually has them.  I found mine this year at Fred Meyer.

All 45 shrubs are planted plus two evergreen.  Tomorrow I have 5 more pots to plant and manure to haul to the veggie garden.  If weather permits I'll be putting in my tomatoes, eggplant, onion sets, and start planting the gladiolas and seeds in the cutting garden.   In just a few more weeks the "heavy lifting" will be done.  Whew!!


See you tomorrow...

Here's to getting your week off to a happy start.  I dare you not to laugh...double dare!