photo from werewolf.com
Holy Cow! I started googling werewolf images and wound up scaring the crap out of myself! This was the least frightening image I could find. So what’s up with all the werewolf stuff? My friend Katie Elzer-Peters of The Garden of Words has a friend, Christine Johnson, who’s putting out a young adult book on werewolves this month, so we thought we’d ban together and post–from all different perspectives–on werewolves as a sign of support!
So here’s my take: Plants that smell so disgusting that no self-respecting werewolf would come near them, not for any amount of human blood-letting in the entire world. Get ready and put on your nose plugs for:
Green Santolina (Santolina virens) I can’t even tell you how gross this plant smells. It’s supposed to be an herb but I can’t imagine what anyone would use it for. The plant itself is beautiful–a dark green low-mounding finely textured plant that features a ton of small pale yellow pom-pom-like flowers in the spring. But, probably you want to skip it when you’re arranging a cut-flower bouquet for the baby shower.
Marigolds (tagetes patula) Yep, we know this one as an old-fashioned annual in cheery hues of yellow and orange. I even have some on my balcony garden this year. I’m doin’ the retro thing, you know. But did you also know that marigolds have long been used to repel the bad bugs that munch on vegetable gardens? It’s true–you plant them around the perimeter of the veggie patch and viola! No grasshoppers or other munchers. So if bugs don’t like the smell, you know you won’t!
Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) Hey, sorry if you like this bulb around the holidays but let’s be honest: this one’s a stinker. I made the mistake of buying some about 20 years ago when I was newly married, thinking I was creating a romantic table-setting. Totally nauseating. I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. Beautiful, yes; beautifully scented, hell to the NO.
Corpse Plant (Amorphophallus titanum) From the same family as Dieffenbachia, Philodendrons, and Anthuriums, Corpse plant is a huge variation with a flower stalk that can grow up to 12′ tall. It emits a sulfur-like odor that few people can stand, so it’s not really a plant that one longs for in the garden. It’s just a freakish anomoly that grosses everyone out. So I’m guessing this one takes the prize if it’s been described as rotting flesh or flatulence!
So, you might be slightly nauseated by now, but take comfort in knowing that you are all the more prepared to fend off the unwanted advances of the hunky neighborhood werewolf. ‘Cause you know they like to put on a good show with their brooding good looks. But you just wave that 12-foot long Corpse plant in his face and, my friend, you are good to go!
For more werewolf-related fun today, check out this list of participating bloggers! And, good luck with the book, Christine!
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I’m going to plant all of these in my garden to keep away the crazies!
Fantastic plant list! I agree re: the paperwhites. EEK.
Thank you for participating today
That sounds like a brilliant idea. Thank you for those handy tips.
Dude, if you want a list of what NOT to plant to make sure your garden doesn’t attract werewolves, check out my Claire de Lune post. I am guessing the “wet dog” bush would be a great one to include in your list of stinky plants, too!
Thanks for your suggestions, Jenny! I’ll get right on planting some of these so my poor chickens will have a safe place to ‘play’!
GREAT post. And I *hate* Paperwhites – I worked in a store one winter that stocked them, and it was headache inducing.
Thanks for all the fun and support!
Paperwhites in the same category as corpse plant? Tough crowd. Remind me not to invite you or any of your commenters over to my house at Christmas time.
Uh-oh, we found a paperwhite supporter!! OK, it’s not as bad as corpse plant, but then again, what is??
I am with Susan…I LIKE paperwhites. In my (Texas) zone 7 I had a ton planted happily in the yard but I can’t make them work in my (Delaware) zone 7. What gives?
Would a plant that smells like flesh attract a hungry werewolf?
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