DISPATCH FROM EDEN
Raising the Scent of Gardenias to New Heights
The plant’s relatively high-maintenance is well worth it (like marriage)
Through the screened windows, the gardenias are intoxicating with their fragrance. Various birds — a dark-eyed junco — an Eastern phoebe — Carolina wrens — carol and echo between the beech trees, the red maples, and the hemlock.
I just heard thunder — even though dappled sunshine spotlights the woods.
O, that fragrance! Most of my gardenias have emigrated from Southern Jersey to Northeastern Pennsylvania in The Pocono Mountains. It’s been a great transition for them — and for me, since I’m, now, like Henry David Thoreau. Just married for twenty-eight years, man.
I came to gardenias late.
Had my thumb finally stabilized to the right shade to purchase a rather dear plant? It doesn’t have to be expensive, if you shop around. Not all garden centers are created equal — the stock can be high quality or low quality — and whether or not they’re getting care while on display.