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The fleeting fragrance of tea olive trees

Making It Grow Radio Minute
Provided
/
SC Public Radio
Making It Grow, hosted by Amanda McNulty

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. In our “new” old house – circa 1880 –we couldn’t possibly afford central heat or air conditioning. With all the bedrooms upstairs our salvation has been an attic fan. Once it cools off outside, we can open windows strategically and bring the cooler air inside. It also brings all the things in the air – dust and smells, good and not so good. This past week the heavenly smell of tea olive has filled my room as I get ready for bed. Tea olive is peculiar in that sometimes it perfumes the air all around it but other days it doesn’t seem to have any smell at all. I don’t know if the tiny flowers open then the fragrance dissipates –something else to try to find out on my to-do list.

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Amanda McNulty is a Clemson University Extension Horticulture agent and the host of South Carolina ETV’s Making It Grow! gardening program. She studied horticulture at Clemson University as a non-traditional student. “I’m so fortunate that my early attempts at getting a degree got side tracked as I’m a lot better at getting dirty in the garden than practicing diplomacy!” McNulty also studied at South Carolina State University and earned a graduate degree in teaching there.