ENROL NOW

Scented Plants

Course CodeBHT229
Fee CodeS2
Duration (approx)100 hours
QualificationStatement of Attainment

 

Grow Scented Plants for Pleasure and Profit

Learn to identify, grow (propagation and culture), and use different types of scented plants. You will find out how to harvest and dry scented plants, and through practical assignments actually make a whole range of exciting herb crafts (e.g. pot pourri, soaps, candles). Learn also how to landscape a scented garden and expand your knowledge of dozens of different scented plant species.

 

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Introduction
    • How Scented plants are used
    • Types of scented plants
    • Plant Naming System and pronouncing plant names
    • Scented Plant Families
    • Resources and Networking
    • Plant reviews
  2. Culture
    • Soils
    • Soil Composition, soil types, improving soils
    • Soil Mixes, porring media and component
    • Plant Nutrients and fertilisers
    • Plant Health -identifying and controlling problems
    • Weeds and weed control
    • Watering plants
    • Planting, staking, mulching, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, etc.
    • Plant reviews
    • Propagation
    • Methods of propagating this group of plants; creating a scented garden; growing in pots, inside, or in the open ground.
    • Plant reviews
  3. Crafts from Scented Plants and Herbs
    • Herbs for cooking
    • Howe to dry herbs
    • Pot pourri, scented candles, tussie mussies, sachets, etc.
    • Cosmetic uses -Hair rinses, baths, skin care
    • Candle Making
    • Exotic herb oils
    • Scented Plants in Pots
    • Lavender crafts
    • Rose Crafts
    • Plant reviews
  4. Harvesting and Processing
    • Harvesting hints
    • General rules for harvesting flowers
    • Storing harvested material
    • Freezing
    • Deterioration
    • Bud harvesting
    • Shelf life
    • Post harvest treatments
    • Chemical treatments
    • Harvesting and grading carnations
    • Harvesting and drying lavender
    • Harvesting Herbs
    • Harvesting leaves, roots, fruit, seed
    • Harvesting for medicinal use
    • Plant reviews
  5. Commonly Grown Varieties
    • Listing dozens of scented garden plants
    • Several plants are dealt with in detail, including: Carnations, Roses, Gardenias, Heliotropium, Murraya, Pelargonium and Daphne
    • Scented Flowers -Alstroemeria, Antirrhinum, Chrysanthemum, Freesia, Iris, Narcissus, Orchids, Matthiola,
    • Plant reviews
  6. Other Important Scented Plants
    • Lilium
    • Fragrant Australian natives
    • Boronias
    • Other Scented Plants for Temperate Areas
    • Plant reviews
  7. Commercial Applications
    • The Business of Scented Plants
    • The most commercially grown species
    • Herbal Teas
    • Production Plan
    • Making a scented plant operation
    • Standards
    • Farm Layout
    • Marketing your produce
    • How to sell
    • Creating a Scented Garden
    • Drawing a Plan
    • Garden Design
  8. Special Assignment
    • Students must complete a special assignment on one selected plant or group.

Aims

  • Know the plant naming system and the uses of scented plants. There are many ways you might classify scented plants.
    • By plant part -scented flower, scented foliage, scented fruit, scented root, etc.
    • By plant group -scented bulbs, scented climbers, scented trees, scented shrubs, etc.
    • By type of scent -strong scent, subtle scent, sweet scent, foul scent, etc.
    • By use -edible herbs, plants for landscape use, for use in perfumes & cosmetics, etc.
    • By plant family -plants which have similar botanical characteristics.
  • Develop a foundation for understanding and identifying scented plants by becoming familiar with families that these plants belong to.
  • Understand the cultural requirements of a range of scented plants. Learn how prevention is always the best cure. Try to keep the environment friendly to the helpful insects, a healthy soil structure with added compost, and maintain suitable environmental conditions for the plant. If you don’t have the right plant in the right place, they tend to struggle more.
    • Heat, cold, wind, rain, frost, shade, pollution and other environmental problems can have disastrous effects on plants.
    • All plants need water to grow, and to survive. Learn about composting, planting, pruning and methods of propagation
  • Know how to make a range of products and uses for scented plants.
  • Describe methods of drying herbs, making potpourri, cosmetic products, lavender crafts and rose crafts
  • Explain harvest and post harvest techniques. If you are to reap the benefits of quality produce, crops must be handled properly during harvest and post harvest. Look at the the various methods for harvesting herbs.
  • Discuss a range of the most commonly grown scented plants. Many scented plants are also commonly known as herbs however there are many that are not herbs but still have a wonderful scent and should be considered for inclusion in a scented garden.
  • Discuss a range of the less commonly grown scented plants
    • including fragrant Australian natives
  • Explain commercial applications of scented plants.
    • Many species of scented plants are grown commercially for their: Cut flowers, Oils, Foliage, Roots, Tubers
    • Some producers set up to specifically supply commercial growers (i.e. producers of oil or bulk flowers) with tube-stock or grow scented plants for specialist retail nurseries.
    • operation options, faming options market research creating a scented garden.

What You Will Do

  • Make up a list of at least 50 sources of information, about the identification and use of scented plants.
  • Watch a plant propagation video.
  • Obtain one soil sample typical of your local area; name the soil and test the drainage of the soil.
  • Obtain (or make up) a potting mix appropriate for growing herbs in.
  • Make up a propagating mix, appropriate for striking seed or cuttings in.
  • Visit a nursery or garden growing scented plants.
  • Obtain any materials which are needed for propagating scented plants by grafting, stem cuttings, root cuttings, aerial layering and seed.
  • Harvest and dry parts from at least three different herbs.
  • Make the following scented products: pot pourri, a cosmetic product, a herb vinegar, a herb salt and one other craft product.
  • Make a bottle of either herb oil.
  • Prepare hot and cold herb teas.
  • Prepare one edible product, using a part of a scented plant for flavouring.
  • Produce one sample of a scented oil, using fresh harvested material from a scented plant.
  • Visit a general nursery. Note what herb seeds, and herb plants are commonly available.
  • Research the cultural requirements of some (or all) of the following genera: Viola, Viburnum, Lonicera, Jasminum, Daphne and Gardenia. Find information on Magnolias, Lilac, Conifers, Scented Camellias, Citrus, Convallaria (Lily of the Valley), Lilium, Hyacinthus, Forsythia and Michelia.
  • Visit a scented garden.
  • Visit and analyse the business operations of at least two herb enterprise.
  • Design a garden featuring scented plants.
  • Compare the commercial potential of three different types of herb enterprises, in your locality (based on the set task).
  • Propagate a scented plant
  • Prepare 48 plant review sheets of scented plants.

Using Scented Plants

Scented plants are used in two ways:

1. Grown in the garden, they offer a bonus over other plants in that not only do they provide the benefit of flowers and foliage like any other plant, but they also have a scent. It should be noted however, that some people can be allergic to the scent of certain plants, and this can therefore be a severe drawback when using such plants in the garden. They are a delight to many people but an irritant to others.

2. The scented parts of the plants can be harvested and used in crafts, perfumes, or other products. They are also ideal for use in sensory gardens for people with special needs, as well as for children.

Types of scented plants
There are many ways you might classify scented plants:

  • By plant part: scented flower, scented foliage, scented fruit, scented root, and so forth
  • By plant group: scented bulbs, scented climbers, scented trees, scented shrubs
  • By type of scent: strong scent, subtle scent, sweet scent, foul scent
  • By use: edible herbs, plants for landscape use, for use in perfumes and cosmetics
  • By plant family: plants which have similar botanical characteristics.
Scented Climbers
Two of the most popular scented plants are Jasmine and Honeysuckle.
 
Both are climbers; and under the right conditions, their scent can be extremely intense; even overpowering. For some people, the air born chemicals released by these plants can cause a bad allergic reaction; which is something that should always be kept in mind when deciding to grow these plants. Too much jasmine or honeysuckle can be a problem for people who suffer badly from allergies, particularly if planted in large quantities near to a residence or workplace, where those people are unable to escape the scent.
The choice of species or cultivar may also be of significance as well. The sent of all jasmines is not the same. Not all honeysuckles have the same intensity or type of fragrance either. 


How Can This Course Benefit You?

  • Helps you to set up a scented garden
  • Understand type of scented plants and their benefits or otherwise in the garden
  • Garden designers can extend their plant knowledge

 

 

 

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