Date: Fri 03-Oct-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

transplant-Bleach

Full Text:

(gardener column on fragrant plants, transplanting times, 10/3/97)

Suburban Gardener--

In The Garden of Fragrant Delights

By Anthony C. Bleach

Sally Ferguson of the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center sent me some

interesting news about fragrant, spring flowering bulbs.

Unfortunately, fragrance too often has been lost in the modern shuffle, as

hybridizers and gardeners focused on other important flower characteristics

such as color, flower size, flowering times and duration, and

disease-resistance. There is some truth to the claims that many modern roses

cannot match the fragrance of the old roses. Breeders have concentrated too

much on the objectives of flower color and size, and neglected perfume.

Dr James Alexander Gamble of England agreed that color and growth habits

should be improved, but he was also devoted to fragrance and realized that

breeders could be encouraged to choose this as an objective. He bequeathed

$25,000 to the American Rose Society to support this idea.

The following are the best to benefit from Gamble's Award: "Crimson Glory,"

"Tiffany," "Chrysler Imperial," "Sutters Gold," "Granada," "Fragrant Cloud"

and "Papa Meilland."

Today a move is afoot to recoup floral fragrance. Professional and amateur

gardeners alike are again viewing flowers with an eye to the nose.

Fall is the time to plant the bulb flowers that will enhance spring gardens

(and winter windowsills). The hyacinth is an excellent example. Not yet as

widely planted in the United States as in Europe, modern hyacinth hybrids are

among the most deliciously scented flowers in the garden. A favorite of the

Dutch, spring wouldn't be spring in Holland without the sweet scent of

hyacinths in the air.

The robust scent of Paperwhite narcissi is known to anyone who has enjoyed

these bulbs in their home in winter. Unfortunately, they are not hardy in cold

climates and are generally grown indoors.

However, there are scented winter-hardy narcissi. Narcissus "Carlton" is a

large-cupped yellow daffodil, a super perennializer, with a fabulous vanilla

fragrance. Jonquils also offer a lovely fragrance. Try the highly fragrant

"Suzy," a jaunty little flower with yellow petals and a red cup.

Among the tazettas , consider creamy-white "Cheerfulness"; soft yellow "Yellow

Cheerfulness"; "Cragford," with a white perianth and orange cup; and the

similar-looking, but later flowering, "Geranium."

Those who like their narcissi in multiple blooms should try "Baby Moon," a

very fragrant yellow narcissus that blooms in clusters. "Thalia" is a pure

white triandrus daffodil with a fruity fragrance.

Tulips are known more for their splendid colors and distinctive forms than

their fragrance. There are, however, some wonderfully aromatic tulips as well.

The yellow "Bellona," pink "Christmas Marvel," rusty-orange "Generaal de Wet,"

buttercup yellow "Golden Melody," soft orange "Ad Rem," and orange-red "High

Society" are all scented varieties.

Among aromatic double-flowered tulips we have the sulfur yellow "Monte Carlo"

and the golden "Hoangho" to choose from. Orange lily-flowered "Ballerina" is

also highly fragrant.

Gardeners are a group that think ahead out of necessity. As the tulips and

narcissi bloom in spring, it is time to plan the summer garden.

Lilies, of course, must top any list of summer bulb flowers. Indoors a stem or

two can scent a room; outdoors too many lilies is never enough. Among the

best-loved scented lilies are Lilium auratum (Gold-banded Lily), Lilium

longiflorum (Easter Lily), Lilium regale (Royal Lily), Lilium candidum

(Madonna Lily) and Lilium speciosum .

For those who miss their spring hyacinths, try summer-blooming Gaitonia

candicans , with a fragrance so similar it is often called the summer

hyacinth. Tall plants that can reach 50 inches in height, they have pendant

white flowers that bloom in August. Except in extreme northern zones, where

they must be lifted in fall, Galtonia will withstand winter if planted in a

sunny spot and heavily mulched. Acidanthera is a bulb that closely resembles

the gladiolus. The corms of these African natives, which the Dutch sometimes

call Abyssinian gladioli , should be planted after the last threat of frost is

gone.

Other summer-blooming bulbs with lovely scents to contribute include Crinum,

Eucomis, Gladiolus and Oxalis. Along with a scent, summer bulbs offer a

refreshing variety of colors and textures to enrich the border and beds of any

summer garden.

(The Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center can be found at www.bulb.com.

Anthony C. Bleach is at Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College in

Waterbury, where he coordinates the landscape and horticulture programs.)