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The scent of a garden…

I was walking up to our front door this morning when I was literally stopped in my tracks by a lovely, perfume-like scent. I looked all around me, examining the plants on both sides of the path. Hmmmm…Mexican oregano, nope – that has a sharp, herbal scent, and usually only when touched. Not the iris, not the ‘purple pastel’ salvia, the purple skullcap, the Zexmenia, or the black scallop ajuga. What was it?

So, then I expanded my search and saw the Magnolia ‘little gem’ magnolia far out in the middle of the yard. Sure enough, a large white bloom stared back at me.

And then I spied another, and another. I stood there for a while and absorbed the luscious scent.

Unlike many of the blooms in my garden, which are small and delicate, the magnolia bloom is bold and beautiful, it’s creamy white petals like intricate porcelain saucers.

Since there are many of them on the tree, I plan to bring one bloom inside to float in a glass bowl and infuse the house with its heady perfume. Nature’s potourri, there’s nothing better.

Heat-loving stunner a must-have for hot gardens…

One of my favorite heat-loving plants, Duranta erecta is a show-stopper for most of the summer here in Central Texas. 

I grow four different varieties:  Alba-white, Sapphire showers-deep purple, lavender, and gold mound-with lime green foliage.  

Bright yellow berries, about ½ inch in diameter, spill in long, trailing clusters in the summer.  (The berries are poisonous to humans.)

My favorite is the sapphire showers – it’s vibrant purple – white-edged blooms are dramatic in my tropical garden. It also attracts bees, butterflies and birds.
My white Duranta has special sentimental meaning to me. It was a gift, given to me by two dear friends at my office, when my dog, Sami, spent 11 days in emergency vet care for the worst case of pancreatitis my vet had ever seen. We didn’t think she was going to make it. So my friends brought me this amazing tree. It was such a loving, generous gift. Against all odds, Sami recovered and went on to live another 5 years, even surviving cancer after that. After the passage of 19 years, and the passing of my sweet Sami almost 14 years ago, their kindness and my miracle still bring tears to my eyes when I look at the Duranta.

This is my miracle Duranta. For me, the white blooms will always represent the hope in my heart.

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