March marvels include; superb scramblers, magnificent merrow, the continuing adventures of The Bernards, cracking craft chocolate, and when did you last book some time off?

Gardening tips for March: the joys of vertical gardening

Climbing plants are one of the unsung heroes of the tiniest gardens. Growing in the smallest plot of soil or in a sturdy container, they’ll happily festoon a bare wall, scramble through an ugly balcony, or screen your bins.

If I had to choose one climber - please don’t make me choose one - I’d have to go for honeysuckle. You can find rhubarb and custard coloured ones like the photo above, which will flower from May right through to October, scenting the air with wafts of warmly spicy honey. Or you could plump for a triumphantly winter flowering one, which smells marvellously summer-like with its rich jasmine scent.

But you needn’t limit yourself to honeysuckle. Look at the miniscule amount of soil outside this Edinburgh house below. The owner has planted a climbing rose, then encouraged sweet peas to weave through its sturdy stems to give layers of glorious blooms and sweet scent. With an evergreen lavender planted right at the base of the climbers, they’re making the best possible use of this tiny plot outside their front door. Genius!

Fancy some inspiration for your garden? How about booking a chat with me?

Fragrant musings from the library of scent: Kujira Densetsu by Senyoko Paris

Scent story for Kujira Densetsu

Feet light as whispers, the merrow drifts along the shoreline, her celadon hair streaming over her shoulders in silken ribbons. Humming quietly to herself, she bends like a willow wand to inspect a jade green disc of sea glass, lit by the low sun. Rubbing its smooth surface against her cool cheek, she then tucks it into a fold of her red cap as she spies something unexpected on a low, grassy ledge.

A tiny cluster of icy white jonquils bob bravely in the brisk breeze. Breathing in their warm honeyed scent, the merrow gasps in joy, but seems caught in a moment of indecision. She waggles her head slowly, then gently plucks a solitary stem, holds it to her nose, then dives silently below the building waves.

Spears of samphire brush against her as she weaves through currents cool and cooler. A patchwork of floating seaweed shimmers in the early morning light; garnet, amber and emerald. The merrow tenderly holds her precious jonquil close as the undertow strengthens and she flicks a cautious eye up to the surface of the sea.

Down, down, down she goes, to her treasure hoard on the seabed. Golden galleons glitter, whale bones glow, and an iron bound wooden chest spills its spicy bounty. She hastily tucks the nugget of sea glass and the gleaming jonquil under a blue and white dish, then spreads her webbed fingers wide to drive her up to the thrashing waves.

Her breath building as she rises, she breaks triumphantly through the roiling ocean and the cliffs echo with her plangent cry:

“Stormy seas are a-coming. Safe home to your families. Stay inside!”

And the merrow disappears again beneath the seafoam.

Truly, Kujira Densetsu has captured my heart, haunting my thoughts and tantalising my nose. It’s a masterclass in using a very challenging material - seaweed - and making it sing. Not everyone will love this perfume the way I do, but I think the brilliant perfumer, Michael Nordstrand, would be okay with that. However, if you’re bored and frustrated with beige and bland perfumes from huge multi-nationals, this might prove to be the blast of saline green your soul is crying out for.

I’m very grateful to my pal, Fahad, for the generous decant.

Nature notes for March

I’m starting to expect tiny beaks to appear through my bedroom wall now. It sounds like Bernard and their pals have mini pneumatic drills, so I’m amusing myself by imagining them wearing stained hi-vis jackets, low slung jeans, and sneaking crafty ciggies while the foreman’s looking the other way. Seriously though, I’m wondering just how many nests are being built, and about the number of tiny Bernards that might start appearing in the next few weeks. I’ll keep you posted…

Featured bean-to-bar chocolate: Latitude Semuliki 70%

Now this is an unusual bar of chocolate. Not just made from beans grown in Uganda, the bar itself is made there. And boy, what a bar it is. Some of the most characterful chocolate I’ve tasted in a while.

It opens with a warm, slightly earthy liquorice root flavour, like you’re actually chewing the stem itself. And then bewitching violet waves a cheery petal. A sweet hint of rum capers on your tastebuds, then treacle and maple syrup sashay across your tongue. A truly delectable treat.

Easy wellbeing tip: booking (and taking) time off

When did you last book some time off work?

Now this is something I’ve struggled with, ever since becoming a freelancer. I fully intend to book weeks off at regular intervals, and then…I don’t. There’s always something in the diary that’d be a pain to re-schedule, so weeks, then months drift by without a proper break from my desk.

But…something I am pretty okay at is bunking off for the afternoon, especially when the weather is fine. Living on the windswept and interesting SW coast of Scotland instills a sense of urgency about making the most of dry days. So the washing gets hung out, then off I scamper along the beach or through the woods. Occasionally I feel the need for pavements under my feet, so I’ll take the train to Glasgow to wander around a gallery and feast on pizza.

So, if it’s too much of a commitment to book whole weeks off, how about taking the odd afternoon here or there? Obviously it’s not quite the same, but it can make a refreshing change.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you’ve got a few hours to yourself?

On the blog:

Earthy perfumes for when you need to feel grounded

PS Wondering how you can work with me?

I’m taking copywriting bookings for April onwards 🖋

And my garden consultations are filling up with the spring rush, but I still have room for a couple more 🌷

PPS I’ll be putting my prices up soon, so if you’re thinking of us working together, let me know!