Lesson Structure: Scented Plants BHT229

There are 8 lessons:

1. Introduction
   • Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the group, information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.).
2. Culture
   • Planting, staking, mulching, watering, pest and disease, feeding, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, etc.
3. Propagation
   • Methods of propagating this group of plants; creating a scented garden; growing in pots, inside, or in the open ground.
4. Using Scented Plants
   • Crafts, cooking and other uses; fresh and dried herbs and scented plants.
5. The Most Commonly Grown Varieties
   • Roses – how they can be used; Lavender and Gardenias.
6. Other Important Scented Plants
   • Fragrant natives, boronias, the Lamiaceae family.
7. The Lesser Grown Varieties
   • Use of lesser known scented plants for craft or cooking.
8. Special Assignment
   • Students must complete a special assignment on one selected plant or group.

• Know the plant naming system and the uses of scented plants, indicate the genus, species and variety in a selection of plant scientific names.
  • 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.
• Identify groups of scented plants according to families and the characteristics of those families
  • Many scented plants tend to fall into one of the several particular plant families. By becoming familiar with these families, you will develop a foundation for understanding and identifying scented plants.
• Understand the cultural requirements of a range of scented plants
• Manage the health of Scented Plants
  • 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. Learn how it affects them.
• Harvest and process a range of scented plants.
• Make a range of products and uses from scented plants.
  • dried herbs
  • potpourri
  • cosmetic products
  • lavender crafts
  • rose crafts
  • other scented plant uses.
• Explain harvest and post harvest techniques for the production of scented crops.
  • If you are to reap the benefits of quality produce, crops must be handled properly during harvest and post harvest. The various methods for harvesting herbs is mentioned.
• Identify and Cultivate 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
• Compare the cultural requirements of fifteen different scented Australian Native plants.
• Discuss commercial applications of scented plants.
  • Many species of scented plants are grown commercially for their:
  • Cut flowers, Oils, Foliage, Roots, and 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.
• Investigate operation options, faming options. How to do market research
• Plan the creation of a scented garden.

Practicals:

• Make up a list of at least 50 sources of information, about the identification and use of scented plants.
• 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.

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