Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/231798
foliage ntings BY ARRICCA ELIN SANSONE SUNNY KNOCK OUT ROSE STAR ROSES AND PLANTS/CONARD-PYLE Accent your landscapes with sweet scents. I f you're not including fragrance in your planting plans, you're missing the opportunity to enhance the landscape on a different sensory level. "Fragrance evokes a mood," says Kathy Rudnyk, specialty accounts manager, Monrovia. "It's uplifting, and it makes a good first impression. You often smell something and wonder 'what is that amazing scent?' before you even see the plant." Fragrance can trigger positive emotions, jog a pleasant memory or soften the edges of a sterile commercial setting. Think about different ways of incorporating scent in your projects. For example, old-fashioned roses may trigger a homeowner's memories of being a child at Grandma's house. Planting lavender outside a high-end boutique may get shoppers in the mood to buy. Potted herbs in an employee break area can be a morale booster. You don't need huge swaths of plants to achieve the benefits. "Include fragrance in little niches to serve as a sort of 'focal point' or accent," Rudnyk says. Plant them near windows and entryways so the aroma can waft indoors. Use containers near benches. Intersperse them in mixed borders. The only caution: Be mindful of placing strong scents near dining areas, where they can be overpowering. Here are a few fragrant plant introductions, as well as old favorites to add zing to your landscaping designs. J A N U A R Y 2014 TotalLa nd s ca p eCar e.com 25