How to Design the Fragrant Garden

I have always considered gardening to be one of the oldest professions perhaps not as old as some but still one that has ancient roots.

I also believe that anyone who wants to can garden. The size and location of the garden will vary with the site that is available to the gardener and the specific needs of the gardener. It is all a matter of analysis and design.

The garden can not only stimulate the eyes and the mind it can bring a wealth of delights to that often neglected organ, the nose.

There are a number of plants that can enhance your garden not only with their physical beauty but with a fragrance that captures your attention as you sit on the porch or in the yard or while wandering down the garden path.

The first step is to consider the physical site, how much sunlight is available; how much shade?

The second is to consider your time; how many hours per day or week do you have to spend in the garden? Be honest. You do not want to have a garden that you cannot look after. It is better to place one pot of basil near the kitchen door where you can reach it and enjoy its spicy aroma when you touch it than to put in a ten foot bed that you cannot tend.

Next you need to consider what special needs that you garden will have to meet; for example, do you have difficulty in bending over, then raised beds, flower boxes or containers on a table top may be best.

If you have problems with your vision, perhaps, placing your beds along a well defined pathway that is easy to navigate will make it easier for you to cut flowers for your table. Keep the beds narrow so that you can readily reach to back without stepping into the garden.

Roses, lilacs and a variety of herbs will provide you with a rich assortment of plants to begin with; when you got to your nearby plant centre get used to asking the question: Do you have any fragrant plants? Take of list of what you already have with you so the person assisting you will know what is already growing in your garden.

Fragrance is a very strong sense and can bring back many memories; it can also help you develop memories of the present that you can recall on a cold winter night when you are enjoy some rosehip jam or a cup of mint tea. An important note, if you plant tog row mint do so in a container, mint loves to take over and will spread quickly but the container will help you keep in under control.