The surprise of scented foliage: Grow plants that offer more than meets the eye

摘要

Sardeners do not grow perennials and shrubs primarily for the scent of their leaves except within the confines of an herb garden. This olfactory pleasure is one of the unexpected bonuses in a garden. Pull a leaf from a bayberry bush as you pass it by,even in winter when the usually rich green ovate leaves are luggage brown and brittle, crush it with your fingers and put it to your nose, and thoughts of soap and candles come to mind. Stroke the notched leaves of sweetfern and your hand smells of theearthy spiciness of hot summer days in New England. Both these East Coast natives are worthwhile to plant for the texture and pattern of their foliage, but I think I delight most in their smell.