May is a pleasantly fragrant month in terms of large acreages of pleasantly fragrant flowers which are always nice to have upwind. May. Our most common fragrant flower is produced by the billions by our ubiquitous mesquite. This bush or small tree grows best wherever its deep roots can reach water. The fact is, mesquite is a valuable plant in its own way. The mesquites start to green up in late April, their gnarled, thorny branches becoming covered with delicate, spring-green foliage.
Bees work the blossoms all day long, until well after sunset if the weather is good.
May. Another May-blooming fragrant flower is the grape. Many acres of wine grapes have been planted in our area during recent years, and lucky is the person who enters a vineyard during blooming season. May also is a big month for honeysuckle, which have their main bloom during the late spring and early summer. Honeysuckle vines are a popular landscaping plant in this area, since they are tough and will take plenty of punishment once established, though like everything else, they grow best when given adequate water and fertilizer. It's amazing how much fragrance a single honeysuckle vine can produce, especially on full moon nights with a mockingbird singing nearby.