Walking on Scents!

Why do scented plants have to be at nose level? Why not have them at all levels?

Children love to be able to feel, smell and touch plants as well as pulling the flowers off by their heads. Wouldn't they love being able to trample over and through them.

There are ground-covering plants that would step up to the challenge of being there for them.

A lot of herbs and flowers made just for this purpose. The herbs also double up in value as they are useful in the kitchen for baking, as potpourri, and bunches of dried flowers for hanging in wardrobes. The spreading habits of some, cut down on time spent weeding.

The more popular plants used as ground covers are thyme,oregano,marjoram, mint in an out of the way corner.

Thyme ticks all the boxes. It is a pretty, and a forgiving plant. Walking on it sends up a fragrance from crushed stems. The dainty small pink or white flowers are ideal in a sunny spot if possible. This habit allows for a certain amount of dryness over the summer months. There are several varieties some with different colored leaves. The scent also varies with the different types. Planted around 70-80 cms apart, these slow growing plants will take a year or so to spread to a reasonable size. Cut them annually to whatever height you prefer. In the kitchen, thyme has many uses, going well with stocks to chicken and lamb.

Oregano and marjoram are also good choices; oregano has the more spreading habit of the two. They have different colored leaves, trim theses plants back as required. They appreciate a regular watering. These herbs go really well with tomatoes and potatoes.

Another fragrant ground cover is penny royal; this one is more of a personal preference. Some consider it a horrible scent, to others a nice strong peppermint perfume.

Violets are an old-fashioned ground cover, but not used a great deal today as the plants can be invasive. They are very fragrant, cut them with the lawn mower if they need a trim.

Planting chamomile where people walk, creates a beautiful smell and readily available for making the popular tea. A rather nice addition is pots or plantings of the scented pelargonium also known as scented geraniums. Brushing past them gives a beautiful smell depending on the variety planted. The aromas can be rose, apple, orange as well as other perfumes. Their leaves remain perfumed after being dried, making a good base for potpourri. Why not garden to please all your senses!

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