Galaxy wrote:
: Just looking for recommendations on easy-to-grow indoor potted flowers
: that produce scented blooms useful for using in sachets, etc.
: I have a lavender plant growing that I bought on a whim to see whether
: or not I could get any flowers out of it. But judging by how slowly
: it's grown in the nearly three months since I bought it, looks like
: it'll take decades before anything worthwhile is produced lol
: (besides which, I believe lavendar is a big plant?).
Lavendar is a Mediterranean plant and needs lots and lots of sun.
Chances are it will only limp along indoors and probably never bloom
unless you can give them the equivalent of outdoor sun in a sunroom or
greenhouse. You might try a windowbox on a south window.
Someone else mentioned gardenias - they are notoriously difficult as
indoor plants and getting consistent flowering is a real challenge. The
flowering specimens at the florist's have been brought along under ideal
conditions in a greenhouse and often simply drop their flowers and sulk
once you bring them home.
Carnations and certain kinds of dianthus will bloom prolifically in sunny
south windows in mid-winter. Select varieties with a strong scent. "Wee
Willie Winkie" is particular nice - a tiny flower with a strong scent of
cloves. Plant with ordinary white Alyssum and you'll have a lovely honey
and cloves fragrance.
Sunlight is the key. The more light you can contrive to provide your
plants, the better the will flower for you. If you can, give them a
summer holiday on a porch, balcony or in a south-facing windowbox.
Hoyas have very fragrant flowers, as do ordinary jade plants, not sure how
their flowers would preserve for sachets, though. Jade plants need LOTS
of sun to bloom.
During winter, don't forget about bulbs that you can force - Hyacinths,
Freesias, etc. Although Freesias will overwhelm the house with scent.
-- Karen
The Garden Gate
http://garden-gate.prairienet.org
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