^ The Scented garden fj£ 



But my favourite was a little slender plant with small 

 much-cut leaves that had the sharp refreshing scent of 

 lemon, with something sweet behind it. It had the charm 

 of lemon drops — acid and sweet — and always made my 

 mouth water ecstatically. It was probably P. citriodorum.' 



My own first recollections of sweet-leaved geraniums 

 go back to the days when as a child I used to stay with my 

 great-aunt Lancilla. And whenever I smell those leaves 

 I am instantly transported to her house, and in particular 

 to the broad, sunny passage which led to the kitchen. 

 The sun came pouring through the sloping glass roof, and 

 there was a whole bank of the sweet-leaved geraniums, 

 reaching well above my head. Pinching the leaves was 

 always a joy, for the scents were so rich and so varied. 

 And those scents now never fail to remind me of a gracious 

 old lady who looked well to the ways of her placid, well- 

 ordered household and was loved by every one who served 

 her, and every man, woman and child in the village. 



When I think of scented gardens I remember hers first 

 and foremost, for though since those days I have seen 

 many gardens, I do not think I have ever seen a pleasanter, 

 homelier one. The house was Georgian, and the short 

 drive to it was flanked on both sides by pollarded lime 

 trees. (I have only to shut my eyes to hear the hum of the 

 bees now.) The drive was never used by the household 



leaf gelatine — but not — oh not ! — with jelly powders. Whilst warm, 

 add a handful of those large green peppermint geranium leaves, thick 

 as a fairy's blanket, soft as a vicuna robe, and to be found in most 

 old-fashioned gardens, and let them flavour your blend ; or you can 

 use 3 or 4 drops of essence of peppermint, £ teaspoonful of apple 

 green to colour, or home-made spinach greening for a substitute. Pass 

 through your jelly bag and serve very cold. A glass of creme de 

 menthe might well improve this but it is by no means indispensable.' 



I 7 8 



