Sweet Scent To Attract: During the breeding season male and female salamanders are attracted to each other by their sense of smell. It is apparent that the skin of the females possesses definite odors which attract the males, while the males have scent glands located at the base of the tail and on the under side of the head to attract the females.
Peacock orchids (Acidanthera bicolor) have a wonderful and sweet fragrance which is present all day and then intensifies at night. They are described in the bulb garden on page 52.
The cruel plant (Araujia sericofera) comes from Brazil and ArŽgentina and is hardy only from Zone 9 and south. Everywhere else it does well in a 10-inch pot filled with a mix of good potting soil and composted manure, 2/3 to 1/3. Pots should contain a trellis or be near one, for Araujia is a climber. Seed germination takes three to six weeks and seedlings will bloom about ten months later. And it's the bloom that is the most interesting feature of this unusual plant. Starry, creamy white, 1 1/2-inch flowers use their sweet scent to attract the nocturnal moths from the garden. Once lured to the flowŽers the moths are trapped in the sticky pollen.See Also Texture And Scent:A baby skunk makes a playful, affectionate, and responsive pet. It remains so even as an adult. Its scent glands may be left intact, as it does not use this defense upon those it knows. However if a kitten is to become a house pet, no doubt it will be given some freeŽdom in the yard. This may expose it to stray dogs or some other frightening factor; hence it is advisable to have the scent glands removed.
No garden would be complete without herbaceous plants, for they act as fillers around the framework trees and shrubs. In most gardens the two types of plant are intermingled in mixed borders, the best solution where year-round interest is required. They can also be planted on their own in island beds, used as ground cover or grown in containers; indeed, their diversity makes them suitable for every garden.
Perennials are valued for both flowers and foliage. Not only are they a major source of color, but they also add shape and texture and scent, sometimes even scent, to the garden.
On The Other Hand See Offensive Scent:Deposited on leaves of food plants
Larva (caterpillar): Smooth, green; anterior end enlarged, with double stripe of yellow and black across back; pair of yellow-black and greenish eye spots in front of stripe followed by several rows of turquoise dots; pair of orange-colored scent glands back of head which can protrude and give off strong offensive scent odor for protection.
A scented garden has its own obvious pleasures, and despite the cries that scent is being lost by modern flower breeders there are many different types of flowers that can be used effectively in this way. The heady scent of wallflowers Erysimum, the lovely mignonette and, of course, night-scented stock are all excellent choices. There are many more that can be appreciated from spring to winter, and they include the white Nicotiana (tobacco plant) and many forms of lilac, lavender, lily-of-the-valley, honeysuckle, viburnum, sweet peas, and jasmine.
|
