of Smith College
Show House
| Flowering plants are grown year-round in the Show House (named for the flower shows held here until the late 1970s). It's current theme is that of a Scent Greenhouse, focusing on a wide array of plants with foliar and/or floral scents. Look for plants with economic uses--culinary, medicinal, perfumery, or ornamental--as well as those with aromas for attracting pollinators, repelling predators.
The many salvias (genus Salvia) and other members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) can be identified by their square stems, opposite leaf arrangement, and two-lipped flowers. A collection of scented and fancy-leaved geraniums (genus Pelargonium) give a glimpse into the range of genetic variability possible within a single genus of plants. A flowering olive (Osmanthus fragrans) competes with a tangerine (Citrus reticulata) to provide aromatherapy. |
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Fern House  |
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