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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2011)
OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE One woman’s delight is another woman’s stink, or so it would seem when it comes to fragrance. Early on in my lesbian-identified years, I planned to attend a New Year’s dance. But then I saw the flier: Office chairs would be available for those who wished to sit and dance, and it would be a scent-free environment. I did a double take at both lines. W heeling around on office chairs didn’t sound that exciting, but it was the demand that I leave my perfume at home that caught me off guard. Since that time, scent-free environments have become more common, but I still begrudge not being able to wear a dab of my favorite perfume (Fresh’s Pink Jasmine is my current fav). W hat is wonderful to one person is not the same to others, including in the garden. My top picks at this very moment for fra grance in the garden include jasmine, gardenia, heirloom roses, lilac, lily o f the valley and a sweet, nectar-rich Cytisus battandieri dripping with a fruity pineapple smell. All are found in our garden, and I’m a sucker for any strangely scented plant. The 7-Up plant? Yep, I’ve grown it— and you know why, just from the name. I recently did a shout out on Facebook and Twitter asking people what they thought smelled horrible, and the “winners” were lilies. References to their overpowering stench causing headaches to reminding others of fu nerals and dreary church services abounded. The range of smell with lilies is broad, but there is one lily known to literally reek of rot ting flesh. Commonly known as the Corpse --------- • voices •--------- Your Garden Stinks! JULY 1. 2011 17 _J M What are your favorite scents in the garden? What smells can you do without in your garden? Connect with LeAnn on Facebook at facebook.com/ BY LEANN L O C H E R Flower, Amorphophallus titanum or titan arum is a huge flowering plant with dramatic shape and color—but its scent, or stink, is most strik ing. Known to smell like a decomposing mam mal, it attracts beetles and other pollinating insects drawn to its odor. This is one stinky lily. I recently panicked when recognizing a scent with which many cat owners are famil iar, this time in our living room. The aroma wasn’t pretty. But then I stepped out onto the front porch and discovered the scent was overwhelmingly strong outside— and not coming from indoors. The elderberry or, to be more specific, the Sambuca nigra was in glori ous bloom. I love this plant for many reasons: I t’s easier and faster to grow, and its black fo liage provides the perfect backdrop for a lively border filled with lime green and hot pink. A favorite rose in my garden. Jude the Obscure is described as having the unusual fragrance of lemon, myrrh and peach. sassygardener, Twitter at @lelonopo and join in the conversation. But little did I know it would smell o f cat pee when in full bloom. Evidently the stench o f cat pee is a com mon theme with plant scents. One suggestion Tweeted my way mentioned boxwood as a source o f that (non)delightful scent, and juni per bushes used in many popular landscaping projects smell the same. Cats are not the only pets to be referenced for unwanted scents from plants. A fellow Tweeter equated daisies with dog poop. W hile I agree that daisies don’t smell good, I had never thought o f them akin to the scent of dog poop. Fortunately in our garden, we have a “wall o f scent” currently in full bloom, thick with fragrant pink jasmine and climbing roses. O n warm days, the fragrance carries throughout the garden, and it is reminiscent o f neither cat urine, dog poop nor rotting flesh. Thank heavens. *!•] L e A nn L ocher is an OSU Extension Master Gardener and has a soft spot fo r growing fr a grance in her North Portland garden. Reach her at sassygardener@gmail.com. i-------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 local sustainable beautiful Make someone gay. Send'em a bouquetl • DAY O LD CHICKS • POULTRY SUPPLIES • • ORGANIC FT.CD • GARDENING SUPPLIES • FLORAL DESIGN • ORGANIC FERTILIZERS • BEDDING PLANTS • 503.358.4687 • HARDWARE • FENCING • PLUMBING • www.BotanicaFloralPDX.com * 4 " 2 TTT k il Sex Toys & Advice from BriKiant Babes 2 D 111 ! ü ü f illíu il www.itsmypleasurepdx.com CISTUS NURSERY 3106 NE 64th Avenue, Portland 22711 NW GILLIHAN R D SAU V IE ISLAND, O R 97231 (On the corner of Sandy llvd k 64th) 503 280-8080 - 503.621.2233 www.cistus.com o p e n d a ily 1 0 a m to 5 p m
