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Letter to the editor

Fragrance marks Florida's snowy drifts

Let two aromatic beauties blanket the ground and deck garden walls in white this winter. But you'll have to improvise on a snowman.

By John A. Starnes Jr., Special to the Times
Published November 10, 2007

Transplants who move to Florida to escape long, cold winters miss the change of seasons. Many natives think they can't grow flowers they've seen in summer gardens up North. What if, each winter here, your landscape could boast gleaming white drifts that need to be enjoyed instead of shoveled?

Now that the autumn cool-down is settling in, treat yourself to a few packets or even a pound of seeds of that Northern charmer sweet alyssum "Carpet of Snow." Known botanically as Lobularia maritima, this relative of mustard and broccoli is so easy to grow from seed as a winter annual that it is perfect for a young child's first whiff of gardening success.

Just sow some snow

Scatter the seeds lightly atop the soil like pepper on food, then hand-water briefly each day to tuck them into crevices in soil and thin mulch, where they will germinate very quickly.

Within a month you will have your first few tiny white blooms in the classic cross-shaped form of the crucifer mustard family. A few weeks later your formerly drab garden will shimmer with thousands of snowy blossoms. There is simply nothing like that amazing honey scent on a cool winter's day. Charming little nosegays in petite vases will perfume a small room.

Live in a condo or townhome? The cascading habit of sweet alyssum makes it a real charmer for hanging baskets and other container gardens. Use it to highlight the cheery colors of pansies, petunias and nasturtiums, which also thrive here in winter, equally immune to frosts and light freezes.

Do you have large landscape beds begging to go from drab to dazzling? Splurge on a pound of seed at a surprisingly low price by calling the bulk seed distributor Applewood Seed in Golden, Colo. ((303) 431-7333 or www.applewoodseed.com). Be aware that the company requires a $25 minimum order. You'd go broke buying enough seed packets to fill a yard with this charmer, but with a bulk order you can split with a friend, you can create snowy splendor on a budget. There are more than 1-million seeds per pound.

A winter wonderland

Maybe you have an ugly chain link fence, or a naked arbor or trellis you are weary of seeing each day. Imagine it clothed year-round in lush greenery. Then, each winter watch thousands of pastel pink buds suddenly burst into a bright white blizzard of blooms that spill out a heavenly perfume that permeates the landscape. Winter jasmine thrives in even ordinary, barely watered sandy soil once established, yet exudes a regal splendor unsurpassed even by more commonly seen jasmines.

Hailing from southern China and known botanically as Jasminum polyanthum, this fast-growing vine quickly weaves itself through fences and arbors and is rarely affected by insects or disease. A hard freeze could zap it, so rural gardeners would be wise to cover theirs with old blankets and sheets at sundown on extra-chilly nights.

The aroma is luscious, close to a blend of gardenia, confederate jasmine and mixed spices. My plant is now 6 years old and has long since consumed my west fence, all from a small mail-order plant from Logee's (toll-free 1-888-330-8038 or www.logees.com). Each winter, that startling, sultry aroma drifts all the way across my junglelike front yard to greet me at the door. The appearance of this swath of white delight in midwinter reminds me of a snow-covered fence from my seven winters in Denver. I rarely see it sold locally, so mail-order is your best bet.

Scan your yard for spots begging to boast "faux snow" - cool to the eyes and paradise to a nose. The only icicles are the plastic ones you hang for the holidays.

John A. Starnes Jr., born in Key West, is an avid organic gardener and rosarian who studies, collects, cultivates and hybridizes roses for Florida. He can be reached at johnastarnes@msn.com.

[Last modified November 8, 2007, 18:23:31]