SCENTED PLANTS BHT229

The course is divided into eight lessons as follows:

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; Jasmine 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.

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.

Many scented plants tend to fall into one of the following 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
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. Follow these simple steps when selecting a site for a plant:

• 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. The amount of water needed however, will vary from plant . Learn how composting, planting, pruning and methods of propagation can be sued to grow healthy plants
• Know how to make a range of products and uses for scented plants.
• How to dry herbs, make potpourri, cosmetic products
  lavender crafts and rose crafts.
• Understand 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. Learn about the various methods for harvesting herbs
• Know 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
• Know a range of the less commonly grown scented plants
  fragrant australian natives
• Understand 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.
  Learn about operation options, faming options, market research
  And most of all, creating a scented garden

In this course you will:

• List sources of information for identification and use of scented plants.
• Collect a soil sample typical of your local area; name the soil and test the drainage of the soil.
• Buy 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 enterprises.
• Design a garden featuring scented plants.
• Compare the commercial potential of different types of herb enterprises.
• Propagate a scented plant
• Prepare plant review sheets for scented plants.

Duration: 100 Hours

Employment Oportunities:

• Starting your own business with scented plants
• Designing gardens with scented plants
• Working for a company that specialises in scented plant products
• Working in or running your own plant nursery
• Farming plants for oil production.

Tips for Growing Scented Plants

There are many ways plants can be scented:

• Consider what part of a plant is fragrant: scented flower, scented foliage, scented fruit, scented root, and so forth
• Consider the type of scent: strong scent, subtle scent, sweet scent, foul scent
• Consider how the fragrance might be used: edible herbs, plants for landscape use, for use in perfumes and cosmetics
• Consider the intensity and whether the scent hasa negative affect on some people: some fragrances cause an allergic reaction in a significant proportion of the population

Scented plants cover a wide range of species including: herbs, roses, climbers, shrubs and trees. Although most herbs are fairly hardy fast-growing plants, this is not the case for all scented plants. As is the case with most plants, their needs will vary according to the species.

For example, Lavenders are relatively tough, fast-growing, plants that will survive with minimal attention in most situations. However, care and attention to watering, feeding and pruning will give you far better results.

Given the broad group of plant families to which different scented plants can belong, it is not surprising that scented species could:

• Be frost tender or frost tolerant
• Prefer moist fertile soils or dry soils with minimal fertiliser
• Tolerate windy exposed sites or thrive in a sheltered position
• Be hardy or tender
• Prefer hot conditions or prefer cool conditions
• Be deciduous or evergreen
• Be perennial, biennial, annual
• Prefer acid soils or prefer alkaline soils or tolerate a wide pH range.

In order to have healthy, attractive scented plants it is essential to research and study the cultural requirements of each species.

It is important to understand all of the characteristics of a plant before choosing to grow it. Scented plants can be a major feature in a garden if chosen well; but if inappropriate choices are made they can be a significant problem for the resident, visitors or even neighbours.

This course will help build your knowledge of all sorts of scented plants and give you a better capacity to choose the best scented plant for any particular location.

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, Antihrrinum, 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.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

REASONS TO STUDY WITH ACS DISTANCE EDUCATION

• Reputation:
    -teaching Horticulture since 1979
    -exceptional faculty staff (see below)
• Hands on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills
• Uniqueness:
    -successful people are always those who can offer a skill or service that others can't
    -this course is different; our graduates have different skills to set them apart.
• Relevance -curriculum developed in response to industry needs
• Lots of help: personal, prompt attention from tutors
• Holistic Courses: We teach more than just "facts"
    -success is only 20% about intelligence (and what you know)
    -you also need to build networking, problem solving & communication skills, and more!
    -this course helps you develop all of these things and more
• Value: courses compare very favorably on a cost per study hour basis
• Up to date: courses under constant review
• Student amenities: This school is backed by over one of the most unique and comprehensive private collections of intellectual property in the horticultural industry. The principal and staff have written and published over 50 books and 150 gardening magazines, as well as 20,000 hours horticultural study programs. A team of 5 horticultural writers continue to develop and update new material continually. These resources together with web sites, an online student room, social media etc. provide a unique and comprehensive facility to support students studying with the school.

Marie Beerman  B.Sc., M.Hort.