Camellia ‘Minato-no-akebono’. Photo: Paul Bonine/Xera Plants
Gardening is about visual beauty, but I believe that plants should excite all of our senses. In my own small garden, I demand not just good looks and a tough disposition; I delight in the bonus of fragrance that contributes an unforgettable dimension. This approach has served me well and I look forward to the stars of each season.
The following shrubs are worth seeking out and relishing in a Pacific Northwest garden.
Winter
A sweet camellia for the darkest time of the year: Camellia ‘Minato-no-akebono’
I’ve become enchanted with camellias and I believe there is a gardening renaissance awaiting this old fashioned genus. Not only are camellias more forgiving of summer drought than people realize, they offer wonderful flowers at a time of the year when they are needed the most. The fragrance is a surprise in winter, and with the help of diligent breeders, it has been imbued into larger, well-formed flowers.
Camellia lutchuensis, a lovely and fragrant species with tiny, white flowers, is the parent that brings perfume to the party. It is...
READ THE WHOLE STORY
Join now to access new headline articles, archives back to 1977, and so much more.
Enjoy this article for FREE:
Voices of the West; New Science on Life in the Garden by Frederique Lavoipierre
If you are already a member, please log in using the form below.