Tag Archives: Fragrant Flowers

Horticulture Report: Calendula Officinalis

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Calendula Officinalis
Common Name: Calendula, Pot marigold
Annual /Perennial herbaceous plants

Calendula is easy to grow by sowing seeds directly into the soil late fall or early spring.  Plant height ranges from 12- 24 inches and at maturity it produces a long secession of yellow and orange flowers from early summer into late fall.

Calendulas are considered annuals, but in USDA zones 8-10, they are categorized as short-lived perennials. When grown in full sun they will often produce flowers well into December; in zone 8 they have been known to flower throughout January, and then start blooming again in earnest by February.   Calendulas vivid orange daisy-like flowers brighten up a garden every day, but on a dark and cloudy day they are indeed a welcomed sight.

Calendula Officinalis has many uses, not only are they a delightful garden and cut flower, but its leaves are very fragrant, and the flowers are edible!  Traditionally, calendula flowers have been used in German, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, a few of their uses include; tea infusions, flavoring stews, soups, and egg dishes, substitution for saffron, and to color butter and cheeses.  Consequently, cooking with calendula developed its common name:  Pot Marigold.  Calendula flowers can be eaten raw too, use them in salads, for decorating baked goods, and as a nifty drink embellishment.  Freeze flowers in water in ice-cube trays, then add cubes to drinks, serving pitchers or punch bowls. It’s best to grow them organically when using for consumption.

For centuries calendula has been used for herbal remedies, and for natural dyes.  Currently, flowers are used commercially worldwide as herbal teas, ointments, tinctures, and oils for homeopathic remedies.  Historically, flowers were once widely used to dye fabrics, producing beautiful yellow, orange and brown colors. Presently, fabric-crafters and artisans still use calendula flowers for its fine natural-dyeing characteristics.

Grow some Calendulas, you will not be disappointed.

USDA Zones: 2 to 11
Water: Medium
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Rabbit, Black Walnut
Garden uses: Beds, Borders, Cottage gardens, Cutting gardens, Pollinator gardens, Pots/containers

submitted by: Carlotta Lucas

Horticulture Report: Smilacina racemosa

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Plant Name: Smilacina racemosa
Common name: False Solomon’s Seal
Plant type: Perennial, Wildflower
Height: 3’
Spread: 2’
Bloom Time:Mid Spring
Flower: Color White
Exposure: Light to Deep Shade
Soil Requirements: Deep, humus-rich, acid soils
Water Needs: Average to Moist
Attributes: Attracts Bee/Butterfly; Fragrant Flowers followed by Red Berries, Birds and small mammals eat these berries, Easy care, Drought Tolerant, Graceful arching stems
Uses: Woodland Gardens; Native Gardens
Native to: Pacific Northwest
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9

born1945_Wikimedia Commons CC 2.0

Report Submitted by: Viki Ashford

Horticulture Report: Lewis’ Mock Orange

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Plant Name:  Philadelphus lewisii
Common name:  Lewis’ Mock Orange
Plant type:       Deciduous Shrub
Height: 5’ – 10’
Spread:   6’
Bloom Time: Late May- July
Flower Color:  White with Yellow Anthers
Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Thrives in most garden soil
Water Needs: Low Moisture
Attributes:   Showy Fragrant Flowers; Broadly arching; Attracts Butterflies & bees; Deer Resistant; Use as a Hedge
Note:   Prune after bloom
Uses:  Hedge, Native Garden, Pollinator Garden, Cottage Garden, Perennial Garden
Native to: British Columbia to Northern California
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 9  ( Blizzard Mock Orange hardiness 2B-3)

Submitted by: Viki Ashford, Ashland Garden Club

Abyssinian gladiolus

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Gladiolus Murielae, common names Abyssinian gladiolus, or Fragrant gladiolus.  Formerly placed in the Acidanthera genus so it’s often sold as ‘Acidanthera Bicolor’.

Native to eastern Africa, from Ethiopia to Malawi.

USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.  But, it is best to dig corms and store to winter over or protect potted corms in a garage or heated greenhouse.

Soil: Well-drained, humus soil, medium moisture. Adapts to a wide range of soils except heavy clay.

Exposure: Full sun. Protected from strong winds.

 

Submission & photo by: Carlotta Lucas

Sweet Mock Orange

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Plant Name:  Philadelphus Coronarius
Common name:  Sweet Mock Orange, Sweet Syringa
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 3-10 ft (depends on variety)
Spread:   3-6 ft
Bloom Time:  Mid to Late Spring
Flower Color:  White, Creamy White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates a range of soils including clay, but prefers moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:   Very fragment flowers, Attracts pollinators (especially butterflies), Deer resistant
Note:   Prune to control height, popular ornamental shrub
Uses: Woodlands, Foundation plantings, Shrub borders, Cottage garden, Hedge, Sitting garden, Sunny edges, English garden,
Native to: Northern Asia and Japan, Western United States, Southern Atlantic coast of USA and Mexico
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9 (depends on variety)

There are many hybrid varieties of Philadelphus Coronarius, below are few of the popular ones:

Philadelphus x lemoinei Hybrids   Hardiness zone 4-8
‘Avalanche’ – Low-growing 3.5′ tall, Arching branches. Very fragrant single flowers about 1″ across.
‘Belle Etoile’ – 6′ tall, Single white flowers with a dark center blotch.
‘Innocence’ – Very fragrant, 8′ tall, single white blooms,  slightly variegated leaves.

Philadelphus x virginalis Hybrids:  Hardiness zone 5-9 ( unless noted otherwise)
‘Philadelphus pallidus’ 6’ tall, snow-white double flowers, rich green color leaves
‘Minnesota Snowflake’ – Popular selection, 6′ tall, double, pure white blooms, very fragrant 2″ wide flowers
‘Virginal’ – An old-fashioned cultivar,10’tall, double blooms with intense fragrance.
‘Natchez’ – One of the best. 10’tall, Covered with 2″ white fragrant blooms in May. Hardiness zone 4-7

Dwarf  Hybrids
‘Miniature Snowflake’ – 4′ tall, double white flowers, fragrant, dark green foliage. Hardiness zone 4-7
‘Manteau d’Hermine’ –  Compact 2-3’ tall, profuse heavily perfumed blooms. Hardiness zone 5-9
‘Illuminati Tiny Tower’– Narrow upright shrub 3-4’ tall. Space-saving, fragrant flowers Hardiness zone 4-7

Fragrant Annuals

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Annual plants fill-in the “flower gap” in your perennial garden and there are a many beautiful annuals your can choose, but below are some of the most fragrant!

Stocks (Matthiola incana)stocks_matthiola_incana_-photo-by-protoplasmakid.jpg
Height:  1-3 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Flower Colors Available in:  Blue, White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Exposure: Full Sun-Part Shade
Attributes: Dense Showy clusters of cove-scented flowers, Deer Tolerant
Uses: Border gardens, Containers, Moon Garden (white flowers), Cut Garden, Bouquets

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)sweet-pea-e1526493728960.jpg
Height:  3-8 ft
Bloom Time: May – July  (In cool weather areas, blooms until fall)
Flower Colors Available in:  All colors ( Except Yellow)
Exposure:  Full Sun (but, not in high heat areas)
Attributes:  Fragrant Colorful Climber
Uses:  Border Gardens, Cottage Garden
Note: Needs to grow on a support structure such as a trellis, a fence, stakes with strings or a bamboo pyramid.  Plants do poorly in high heat & humid areas! Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.

Sweet alyssumSweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)
Height: 3-6 inches
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Colors Available in:  White, Purple, Pink, Lavender, Violet
Exposure: Full sun – partial shade
Attributes:  Ground plant, Delicate Flowers, Fragrant, Re-seeds
Uses: Flowerbed Edges, Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes

Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)nicotiana-alata-e1526493875640.jpg
Height: 3-5 ft.
Flower Colors Available in:  Red, White, Purple, Pink, Yellow, Pale Green
Exposure: Full sun – partial shade
Attributes:   Tubular flowers star-shaped fragrant flowers
Uses: Attracts Birds & Butterflies, Fragrant, Moon Garden (White flowers)

Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)4 oclock_Mirabilis jalapa
Height: 2-3 ft.
Bloom Time: June- Frost
Flower Colors Available in:  Red, Pink, Rose, Magenta, White, Sometimes Striped
Exposure: Full Sun
Attributes:  Trumpet-shaped flowers, Blooms in late afternoon, Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds.  Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested!