Gardenia augusta is one of the fragrant shrubs that I have planted in my endeavour to establish a perfumed garden. The fragrance is intense but lovely. The petals are waxy while the leaves are leathery, shiny and bright green when young which turn darker as they age.
The whorls of petals are unfolding in ...
They look prettiest to me on the third or fourth day with the inner whorl still folded up.
The full bloom in all its perfumed splendour.
"It is a golden maxim to cultivate the garden for the nose, and the eyes will take care of themselves" - Robert Louis Stevenson
The bloom on the left has started to turn into a light cream colour which becomes darker as it gradually bite the dust over the next few days.
Petals are fully unfurled to release its intense fragrance. I always can't resist sniffing at it.
A flower bud demurely wrapped up.
A solitary white scale insect found its niche on the stem. It was not on my invited guests list, so was unceremoniously ejected after the photo-shoot.
Gardenia and Lantana camara 'ham and eggs' in a sundae glass. This simple arrangement can last about three days before the Gardenia turns yellow while the tiny Lantana florets start to drop off the stalk.
Posted from Cork, Ireland (I'm on a one-month sojourn in Ireland for the whole month of October)
Posted from Cork, Ireland (I'm on a one-month sojourn in Ireland for the whole month of October)
Your pictures are exquisite and make me long for a "smell" button on my keypad. The photos and comments on the insects you include make me laugh! Sometimes we have to be The Exterminator but that role weighs heavily on my conscience :(
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. Now that you mentioned, it is a fantastic idea to have a "smell" button, something for the IT geek to mull over. It is never easy to carry out that 'job' except when my plants are almost completely ruined by their heinous activities. Then my rage cloud over whatever conscience that is left.
DeleteLovely photos, I adore the smell of Gardenias. Hope that you are enjoying your time in Cork.
ReplyDeleteI adore the smell of Gardenia too, only that I've to share it with many other insects who are there before me.
DeleteYour photos and narration of the legend behind the Giant Causeway bring back sweet memories of my visit there two years ago. I've some wonderful photos taken there too.
Wspaniały kwiat i podoba mi się w każdej fazie swojego rozwoju. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteGreat flower and like me in every phase of its development. Yours.
Gardenias always invoke a sense of tranquility in me and a feeling that Life is indeed beautiful and rosy.
DeleteOh I have tried to grow gardenia before and not had much luck - if it grows for you in Malaysia then maybe I should have another try. I do so love the scent, and yes a scratch and sniff button would be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLooking at the flowers in your garden, I'm sure that gardenias can survive and thrive vigorously in your garden too. Good luck with your green fingers.
DeleteI had forgotten the smell of Gardenia.
ReplyDeleteBy the looks of it - it surely must be glorious as all the flowers are rich and flawless.
It is indeed a wonderful plant to add to one's garden. The fragrance is intoxicating to say the least.
DeleteBeautiful photos and story Stiletto. I love gardenias too, both blooms & smell. You have some of the most fascinating animal life in your garden. That floral arrangement is superb. The lantanas look great also. Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the generously kind words. My garden seems to have a great variety of critter-visitors, possibly as a result of minimal use of pesticides. I chose the Lantana 'ham and eggs' for its pastel colours to complement the white of the Gardenia.
DeleteThough Gardenia has its own beauty and gracefulness on every stage, I think it best on the third or fourth day as you showed in the photo. From the pristine white to the tinged with cream is like from innocence to experience, symbolizing purity all its life. I like your flower arrangement.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I do like your concept of 'innocence to experience' to reflect the passing phases of the maturity of the Gardenia flower.
DeleteAwesome flowers and if they have lovely fragrance, they are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI wish there is a way to preserve or bottle its fragrance.
DeleteHello Stiletto
ReplyDeleteI thought I would pay you the same compliment of visiting your blog,which I find extreemly interesting.Your photos of the beautiful Gardenia flower are
just perfection.Only last year I planted two in my garden but they did not do too well, and probably needed more shade to survive the hot summer months.
I will certainly follow your blog,and try to visit as often as I can.:)
Regards.
Thanks for the superlatives. My gardenias are in full sunshine. They are okay with the heat and the sun and show no signs of wilting or yellowing of the foliage.
DeleteEducational post... even learned the name of this plant... I have it in my garden too... and my missus likes to make cut-flowers out of them for their fragrance... the Japanese name is 'kuchi nashi', literally meaning 'no mouth'...
ReplyDeleteThanks for this piece of information. I did some research and found out that the 'no mouth' tag actually refer to the fruit which has also being used as a yellow dye. Its probably the Japanese variety as the type in my garden does not bear fruits at all. Maybe I shall watch out closely in future.
DeleteI like the smell of gardenia magic, I'm glad I found your way to me, I greet warmly
ReplyDeleteThe fragrance is indeed enchanting. I wish I can have it bottled to be enjoyed at all times.
DeleteI love your gardenia photos, especially of the flower unfolding - gorgeous work. Their scent is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhen is I saw the unfolding of the Gardenia, it was like Nature unravelling her secrets to me.
DeleteI imagine purity when I look at the gardenia bloom.
ReplyDeletePretty flower and nice scent.
I agree with you that Gardenias symbolises all that is pure and unsullied yet bewitching in its fragrance.
DeleteYour photos of your gardenia are lovely! I adore the strong, but still delicate smell of these blooms.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments. Like you I adore its fragrance and never seem to get enough of it.
Delete