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.
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