Scent in Your Garden

"Scent is the most potent and bewitching substance in the gardener's repertory and yet it is the most neglected and least understood." This single introductory sentence sets the tone for the bombardment of the senses that awaits us within the pages of this book.Mr.Lacey's book is so beautiful, it might be hard to believe the emphasis is on fragrance and not color. But, scent is the waft of anticipation overflowing within his chapters. It is his premise that the garden should reward us with pleasure of fragrance every day of the year. He has set about to fulfill this promise by giving us encyclopedic information on fragrant trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs, roses and, of course, herbs. Specific selections within each genus help the gardener to choose the most fragrant of the Mock Oranges, Honeysuckles and Old Roses. But, this is much more than just a beautifully illustrated reference book. There is practical advice on every page. Mr. Lacey's observations help us to choose the right scented plant for the close border, the wall garden or the tree lined driveway. Shade, Water, Rock or Conservatory, no garden is to be without a selection that will satisfy the hunger of our nose.And, even though he is an English Garden Writer, Mr. Lacey has thoughtfully included English measurements (as well as metric) and notations of soil preference. If you garden in very hot areas of the US, be sure and take those part shade directions to heart. Whether you haven't thought about the Scent in Your Garden or want to fine tune the orchestra of fragrant sensations in your existing garden, this book will have you making lists and tracking down those 'can't do without' fragrant plants.

There are so many gardening books on the market why should you care about this one? Well, for one thing the author Stephen Lacey is a distinguished British garden expert involved with the preservation of all those lovely gardens you like to visit when you go to the U.K. Lacey, not to be confused with Allen Lacy his garden buddy in New Jersey, is also the author of THE STARTLING JUNGLE a very good book on building the appealing and different personal space. In SCENT IN YOUR GARDEN, Lacey continues with his discussion about adding elements to the garden that pleasantly stimulate the five senses. In SCENT he list many plants (photos and text descriptions) including trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, and of course Roses that fill the air with perfume. One might not think of planting a tree for its scent, but I can attest to the wonderful perfume of the Persian or English Walnut tree--and the nuts are tasty too. Of course Lacey includes those plants many of us already know, Nicotiana, Hyacynths, and Lonicera (honeysuckle) but he also tells the reader certain species of tulips, daffodils, Paeonias, Viburnum, and herbs have their charms. Lacey includes a section on herbs. He says herbs can be grown in herb gardens, but culinary herbs in particular are quite a treat grown in pots by the back door--Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme--provided there is enough sun. So you have the double pleasure of smelling the herbs through the screen door or window, and enjoying their aroma served up in your favorite dish. Some species of butterflies are particularly fond of Parsley so you'll have some pretty sights too (they lay their eggs which then pupate and eat it!!). Lacey's book does not discuss growing techniques in any great detail, but it probably wouldn't matter anyway since what works for a plant in England often does not work in the U.S. I live in Zone 7, however, and I most of these plants will work in my growing zone. The roses are tricky--what works in the mild English sun often croaks in the hot Virginia sun--but he lists two roses I am growing for their scent--Comte de Chabord and Blanc Double de Courbet. I have also been able to get some roses to grow in Virginia Lacey does not list such as the lovely clove scented climber Polka.I recommend this book to anyone trying to bring a little perfume (day or night) into their surroundings. Scented plants can be grown anywhere and from my perspective, the sense of smell is just as important as the sense of sight in the garden.