Nature Quote Of The Day – Robert Bridges

“I know that if odour were visible, as colour is, I’d see the summer garden in rainbow clouds.” – Robert Bridges

A Whiff of Imagination: The Scent of Summer Gardens

Picture this: You step outside on a warm summer day and are instantly enveloped by a symphony of scents. Ah, summer—the season where every garden seems to burst forth with not just color but also a fragrant bouquet that dances in the air. If only we could see those aromas, right? If odour were visible, as colour is, your backyard would transform into an ethereal rainbow cloud, swirling with hues of floral pinks, citrus yellows, and earthy browns.

Imagine peering into the garden and witnessing a kaleidoscope of scents. The delicate perfume of blooming roses would float like soft pink cotton candy, while the zesty tang of freshly sliced oranges might gleam in vibrant yellows, attempting to outshine the cheerful lemons that seem to shout “refreshing!” from their sunny perch. Meanwhile, the muddy undertones of rich, dark earth—somewhere between a deep espresso brown and haunting charcoal—would remind you that beauty begins beneath the surface.

Now, let’s not overlook our herby friends. Picture basil wafting around like an emerald green mist, a fragrant green halo hovering over tomato plants that dream of caprese salads and divine summer feasts. And what about that heady scent of garden basil? In a world where odour reigns visually, I can almost see it pirouetting in delightful confusion amongst the twirling tendrils of garlic and the spicy essence of jalapeños—the showdown of scents promptly resolved with an aromatic olive oil drizzle.

And there’s the lawn, oh sweet lawn! Its grassy notes could easily become the vibrant greens of a lush spring meadow, adding that touch of nostalgia, like the soft whispers of childhood summers spent barefoot in the grass. But get a little too close, and you might catch an unexpected whiff of the neighbor’s misfired barbecue, a smoke gray that would unsettle even the most fragrant lavender of the ever-persistent bees buzzing nearby.

Garden scents might even join forces, creating mists that inspire perfume designers to raise their game to ethereal new heights. Who wouldn’t want a fragrance that smells like a giggly family reunion complete with the sweetness of ripe strawberries mingling with the earthy depth of soil? “Ah, that’s just this season’s ‘Grandma’s garden party’—fresh, timeless, and slightly chaotic,” you can proudly say as you waft the air back and forth, attempting to trap the scent.

In fact, if aromas were visible, I can only imagine the artistic debates that would ensue. “No, the jasmine is definitely more magenta than you think!” someone would exclaim, while others nod knowingly. Arguments would spiral into spirited discussions about the exact shade of patchouli, and we’d have a formal gathering to admire the sunset-yellow honeysuckles, perhaps even accompanied by a whimsical musical score to highlight their sweet, lingering notes.

So next time you find yourself in a garden, let your imagination weave the scents into a tapestry of colors. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and you might just find yourself transported into a sensory deluge where every waft of air is a brushstroke on the canvas of summertime joy. Because folks, when we embrace the unseen, the mundane can swiftly grow into a delightful, fragrant explosion—one garden at a time.