Gilded and Glowing

Though the earth was cold and wet, the sky was clear,
and the sun rose bright, placid, and beautiful.

- Charles Dickens

This wonderful orchid is from Tabbie’s collection.
Here it is catching some rays on Sunday afternoon.
Its scent is soft and sweet.

Namesake

So let me introduce myself. I’m a friend of Tabbie’s.
My name is Aggie, and pretty much whatever Tabbie likes, I like.
Two peas in a pod you might say, but not identical peas.
I’m here for now at Tabbie’s request to keep this blog up and running.
You’ll see my spin on things, but in many ways this place will stay the same.
I frequently consult with Tabbie, without whose input I’d be completely lost.
I can’t promise there won’t be more changes in the future,
nor can I promise this blog will go on forever, but for now the garden grows.
It’s nice to be here in a garden amongst other friends of Tabbie’s.

Getting to the “Namesake” part of this post, many of you know that Tabbie particularly loves flowers which are yellow and flowers which are fragrant.
I’d swear nirvana is achieved when the two qualities combine
like they do in this great plant from Tabbie’s fantastic collection.
It’s called the Chinese Perfume Plant.
Having never been around when it was in bloom,
I’d always wondered why it’s called a perfume plant.
Two weeks ago I got the chance to smell it, and like an addicted butterfly,
I’ve returned again and again to enjoy the ineffable sweetness
which floats from the tiny yellow blossoms adorning this plant.
The scientific name for this species is Aglaia odorata.
I can’t tell you how glad I am my name’s not Aggie Odorata!

– Aggie Aglaia

Kyokko

Neofinetia falcata variety ‘Kyokko’ is in bloom.

Angraecum didieri

This little orchid is growing on a medium to large fist-sized rock. The 2 inch flower is almost as big as the plant from which it sprouts. You can see in the second photo the very long spur which this flower sports. Early in the evening the pale green and white star begins to smell like a spicy sweet melon. Later the fragrance becomes darker and more intense, exuding scents which are sometimes musky, sometimes laced with smoke, and sometimes exactly like black licorice or sweet anise candies. It’s intriguing and nice and very different indeed. This amazing little plantbeast hails from the island of Madagascar.

Midsummer Night Neos

Blooming Baby Kinginrasha

A small division of Neofinetia falcata variety ‘Kinginrasha’ has decided to bloom. The plant is mounted with moss on a piece of Mopani wood along with a clump of ‘Unkai’ (center) and a small division of ‘Rashaba Yamadori’ .

‘Kinginrasha’ is characterized by its rough leaf texture
and thickened flowers which cluster together, faces pointed to the heavens,
as their tails gracefully curl and intertwine. I find them to be very charming.

Dashed hopes and the beauty of it all

Neofinetia falcata variety ‘Hanakanzashi’ has bloomed.
I had high hopes that the flowers would have three spurs each,
but as you can see, they do not.

Satomi of Seed Engei states, “Hanakanzashi is the variety of Shutenno that sometimes has three spurs when it blooms. The percentage of plants which bloom with three spurs is still unsure, and many of them will flower differently each year. None are guaranteed to bloom with three spurs 100% of the time. That is their characteristic, and growing conditions have a lot of influence
on how they flower as well.”

Despite my disappointment, these flowers are simply wonderful! They are large for the species, show beautiful pigmentation, and smell like heaven on earth! Just look at those long elegant tails! What’s not to like?!

First Roses

The rose that lives its little hour
Is prized beyond the sculptured flower.
~ William Cullen Bryant
__________________________

This one is sweetly fragrant!