The nose knows—sometimes
When I wrote the last post, I was aware that I was on very shaky ground making absolutist comments about the fragrance or lack thereof in a certain flower.
Some people pick up fragrances that are totally non-discernable to others, and many love fragrances that others hate.
During Garden Walk, some women walked by and pointed to a lily, saying “Oh, there’s that stinklily.” (I found this not exactly rude—perhaps a bit uncouth.) Then they commented that they weren’t smelling the “stink,” and wondered if it had “worn off.” I didn’t bother to explain to them that they were thinking about Stargazers, which I don’t have. Most people around here are convinced that every pink spotted lily is a Stargazer, but I stopped growing them, largely because of their lack of height. Some find their smell unpleasant; I don’t, though they’re my least favorite of the Orientals.
There have been many interesting discussions about fragrance on Gardenweb over the years. Paperwhites are widely detested, but there are some cultivars that have a milder scent. Some people don’t like hyacinths; I find their scent fresh and totally springlike. Tree peonies are wonderful in spring too.
Of course a few flowers just smell bad, or close to bad. I don’t like astrantia, dahlia foliage, chrysanthemums, and martagon lilies (the pink). I can’t think of too many others; I love almost all fragrant flowers and avoid those that lack it. My big dream is to maintain a couple of citrus trees, so I can have lemon and orange blossoms in season.
Some people pick up fragrances that are totally non-discernable to others, and many love fragrances that others hate.
During Garden Walk, some women walked by and pointed to a lily, saying “Oh, there’s that stinklily.” (I found this not exactly rude—perhaps a bit uncouth.) Then they commented that they weren’t smelling the “stink,” and wondered if it had “worn off.” I didn’t bother to explain to them that they were thinking about Stargazers, which I don’t have. Most people around here are convinced that every pink spotted lily is a Stargazer, but I stopped growing them, largely because of their lack of height. Some find their smell unpleasant; I don’t, though they’re my least favorite of the Orientals.
There have been many interesting discussions about fragrance on Gardenweb over the years. Paperwhites are widely detested, but there are some cultivars that have a milder scent. Some people don’t like hyacinths; I find their scent fresh and totally springlike. Tree peonies are wonderful in spring too.
Of course a few flowers just smell bad, or close to bad. I don’t like astrantia, dahlia foliage, chrysanthemums, and martagon lilies (the pink). I can’t think of too many others; I love almost all fragrant flowers and avoid those that lack it. My big dream is to maintain a couple of citrus trees, so I can have lemon and orange blossoms in season.
Comments
I love jasmine, but lost mine this winter -
And could someone please explain the fragrance of Actaeas (Cimicifuga)? It is, for me, a strange combination of compelling and repelling. My better half says it reminds her of fragrances in the tropics that are heavy with pheromones.
What is chameleon?