ONLINE COURSE SCENTED PLANTS
- Learn how to Grow and Use Scented Plant
- A correspondence course for the enthusiast or commercial grower.
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.
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. Learn about composting, planting, pruning and methods of propagation
Know how to make a range of products and uses for scented plants.
Methods of drying herbs, making 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.
Look at the 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
including 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.
operation options, faming options
market research
creating a scented garden
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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How Scented plants are used
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Types of scented plants
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Plant Naming System and pronouncing plant names
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Scented Plant Families
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Resources and Networking
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Plant reviews
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Culture
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Soils
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Soil Composition, soil types, improving soils
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Soil Mixes, porring media and component
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Plant Nutrients and fertilisers
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Plant Health -identifying and controlling problems
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Weeds and weed control
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Watering plants
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Planting, staking, mulching, pruning, protection from wind, salt air, etc.
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Plant reviews
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Propagation
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Methods of propagating this group of plants; creating a scented garden; growing in pots, inside, or in the open ground.
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Plant reviews
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Crafts from Scented Plants and Herbs
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Herbs for cooking
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Howe to dry herbs
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Pot pourri, scented candles, tussie mussies, sachets, etc.
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Cosmetic uses -Hair rinses, baths, skin care
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Candle Making
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Exotic herb oils
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Scented Plants in Pots
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Lavender crafts
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Rose Crafts
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Plant reviews
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Harvesting and Processing
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Harvesting hints
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General rules for harvesting flowers
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Storing harvested material
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Freezing
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Deterioration
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Bud harvesting
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Shelf life
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Post harvest treatments
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Chemical treatments
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Harvesting and grading carnations
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Harvesting and drying lavender
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Harvesting Herbs
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Harvesting leaves, roots, fruit, seed
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Harvesting for medicinal use
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Plant reviews
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Commonly Grown Varieties
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Listing dozens of scented garden plants
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Several plants are dealt with in detail, including: Carnations, Roses, Gardenias, Heliotropium, Murraya, Pelargonium and Daphne
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Scented Flowers -Alstroemeria, Antihrrinum, Chrysanthemum, Freesia, Iris, Narcissus, Orchids, Matthiola,
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Plant reviews
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Other Important Scented Plants
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Lilium
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Fragrant Australian natives
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Boronias
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Other Scented Plants for Temperate Areas
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Plant reviews
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Commercial Applications
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The Business of Scented Plants
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The most commercially grown species
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Herbal Teas
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Production Plan
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Making a scented plant operation
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Standards
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Farm Layout
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Marketing your produce
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How to sell
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Creating a Scented Garden
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Drawing a Plan
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Garden Design
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Special Assignment
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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.
What You Will Do
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Make up a list of at least 50 sources of information, about the identification and use of scented plants.
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Watch a plant propagation video.
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Obtain one soil sample typical of your local area; name the soil and test the drainage of the soil.
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Obtain (or make up) a potting mix appropriate for growing herbs in.
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Make up a propagating mix, appropriate for striking seed or cuttings in.
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Visit a nursery or garden growing scented plants.
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Obtain any materials which are needed for propagating scented plants by grafting, stem cuttings, root cuttings, aerial layering and seed.
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Harvest and dry parts from at least three different herbs.
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Make the following scented products: pot pourri, a cosmetic product, a herb vinegar, a herb salt and one other craft product.
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Make a bottle of either herb oil.
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Prepare hot and cold herb teas.
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Prepare one edible product, using a part of a scented plant for flavouring.
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Produce one sample of a scented oil, using fresh harvested material from a scented plant.
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Visit a general nursery. Note what herb seeds, and herb plants are commonly available.
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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.
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Visit a scented garden.
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Visit and analyse the business operations of at least two herb enterprise.
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Design a garden featuring scented plants.
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Compare the commercial potential of three different types of herb enterprises, in your locality (based on the set task).
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Propagate a scented plant
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Prepare 48 plant review sheets of scented plants.
Scope 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 Garden Plants to Consider Growing
Many scented plants are also commonly known as herbs. However, there are many that are not herbs but which still have a wonderful scent and therefore should be considered for inclusion in a scented garden. Following, is a short list of such plants suitable for a shrubbery or perennial setting. These plants may not be suitable for all climate zones so research is required before planting.
Acinos corsicus: Micromeria corsica
Agastache: Hyssop
Aloysia triphylla: Lippia citriodora
Antirrhinum majus: Snap dragons
Berlandiera lyrata: Chocolate flower
Boswellia serrata
Calendula officinalis: Pot marigold
Callistemon citrinus
Cedronella canariensis: C. triphylla
Chimonanthus praecox
Chrysanthemum species
Choisya ternata: Mexican orange blossom
Clematis montana and hybrids
Convallaria majalis: Lily-of-the-valley
Cosmos atrosanguineus: Chocolate cosmos
Crocus chrysanthus
Cupressus macrocarpa: verging towards orange-scented
Cymbopogon citratus
Cymbopogon nardus
Daphne mezereum
Elaeagnus gungens
Eucalyptus citriodora
Galanthus species: Snowdrops
Gardenia augusta
Hamamelis mollis: Witch hazel
Heliotropium arborescens: Heliotrope
Hemerocallis species: Daylilies
lpomoea alba: Moonflower
Iris reticulata
Jasminum officinale: Jasmine
Leucojum vernum: Snowflake
Leptospermum petersonii
Lippia citriodora
Lonicera japonica: Honeysuckle
Jasminum officinale
Magnolia psecies
Mahonia lomariiffolia: Hollygrape
Matthiola incana: Stock
Monarda didyma: Beebalm
Muscari armeniacum: Grape hyacinth
Myrica odorata: Sweet cicely
Nepeta cataria
Nicotiana alata: Tobacco plant
Osmanthus delavayi
Osmanthus fragrans: Sweet olive
Philadelphus coronaria
Phlox paniculata
Rhododendron rubiginosum
Salvia species: Sage
Stephanotis floribunda
Syringa species: Lilac
Trachelospermum jasminoides: Star jasmine
Viburnum farreri
The Business of Scented Plants
Many species of scented plants are grown commercially for their:
- Cut flowers
- Oils
- Foliage
- Roots
- Tubers
Some producers have established themselves to specifically grow scented plants for specialist retail nurseries or to supply commercial growers with tube stock. These commercial growers are producers of oil or bulk flowers.
Most growers tend to specialise in one or two of these areas. For example, cut flower growers may also grow foliage. Oil producers usually specialise in producing essential oils but sometimes also produce a crop of flowers for both: potpourris where the flower heads are stripped from the stems, and cut flowers, particularly in the case of lavender.
Some businesses are also set up as tourist attractions. Lavender farms are very popular and activities often include farm tours, display gardens, cafés or restaurants, and a shop selling lavender products.
Gardens, combining hundreds of plants that greet visitors as they enter with heavily scented air, are also a popular attraction. A garden design business specialising in scented plants could also be an option.
Some of our Horticulture Tutors
Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.
Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades. Yvonne is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).
John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, FAIH, MACHPER, MASA
Mr Mason has had over 40 years experience in the fields of Horticulture, Business, Education and Journalism. He has extensive experience both as a public servant, and as a small business owner. He has held positions ranging from Nurseryman and Landscape Designer to Director of Parks and Recreation (City of Essendon) and magazine editor.
John is a well respected member of many professional associations, and author of over forty books and of over two thousand magazine articles. Even today, John has written a number of best selling reference texts used by horticultural courses at universities and colleges internationally. His publishers include Simon and Shuster, and Landlinks Press (CSIRO Publishing
Dr. Lynette Morgan B. Hort. Tech., Ph.D. in Horticultural Science Dr Morgan has a broad expertise in horticulture and crop production, and a keen appreciation of the global scene. She travels widely as a partner in Suntec Horticultural Consultants, and has clients in central America, the USA, Caribbean, South East Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
Gavin Cole B.Sc., Psych.Cert., Cert.Garden Design, MACA
Gavin has over 20 years of industry experience in Landscaping, Publishing, Business and Psychology. He was operations manager for a highly reputable British Landscape firm (The Chelsea Gardener) before starting up his own firm. He has exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show, and designed gardens across England and Australia. He spent the best part of three years working in our Gold Coast office, partly as a writer for Your Backyard (gardening magazine), and partly as a tutor in both psychology and horticulture.
Martin Powdrill, Bsc (Hons) Applied Science (Resources Option), MSc Computer Studies, Permaculture Design Certificate. Martin’s goal as a catalyst for sustainable change brings together his strengths and experience in his environmental, project management, and business backgrounds. For 25 years, Martin has been involved in Telecommunications, IT, Organisational Development, and Energy Conservation & Efficiency, prior to setting up his own Permaculture consulting business. He wishes to make a real difference to people and the planet, by actively bringing new perspectives to current challenges and exciting opportunities. To realise this, he enables diverse groups of people to flourish and release their untapped potential, by re-igniting their passion and creativity. Additionally, Martin volunteers with many local environmental and community groups, and facilitates discussions on climate change, peak oil, and transition towns. Martin has an allotment, and is currently enrolled in the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Award programme.
Rosemary Davies Dip Hort Sc. Rosemary trained in Horticultural Applied Science at Burnley, a campus of Melbourne University. Initially she worked with Department of Agriculture Victoria as an extension officer (Garden Advisory Service), taught horticulture students, worked on radio with ABC radio (clocking up over 24 years as a presenter of garden talkback programs, initially the only woman presenter on gardening in Victoria) and she simultaneously developed a career as a writer. She is author of several booka and hundreds of articles.
Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work. Diana is also a member of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited (NSALG).
FAQ's
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
We also offer a Herbs ebook. Click here for more information.
