Of all the scented plants perfuming our little entrance-
and there are many clustered around such a little entrance- chinese jasmine trailing the window bars, lilac climbing rose beneath, plump bushes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, not forgetting a young star jasmine, an eager magnolia flush with flowers and on the far side a frangipani beginning to flower.............
nothing smells quite as heavenly as the only plants we didn't place for fragrance- the elephant ears.
Our huge elephant ears have each made 2 or 3 flowers in quick succession.
In the rush of my busy season, carrying full platters from the house to the car and empty ones from the car to the house in an seemingly never ending cycle,
the spot where the scent hits me causes me to linger, inhale deeply and escape for just a moment of heady intoxication that leaves my lips with a smile.
I have never seen an elephant ear flower! And perfumed!
ReplyDeleteMarie- I wish I could describe the smell- but I can't!
DeleteExcept to say its perfect, not too sweet nor too floral, if we could bottle it, we'd be rich....and of course smell very very nice.
My partner likes to describe it as: At first, a hint of peach hits the nose but quickly turns to a floral rose smell, once again quickly transforming as it enters the lungs, settling as a concentrated Freizia extract that leaves your eyes searching in the wrong direction for that little white/yellow cluster of freizia that couldn't possibly arrive this late!
DeleteO they flower and the scent is awesome I have my window and sliding door open if the breeze is on the right direction it ends up through the house ❤❤❤❤❤
DeleteWould you happen to know if you have alocasia odora? I love fragrances so I'm trying to find your variety.
DeleteI had no idea elephant ears had a fragrance. Your entrance is so inviting and the scents must be intoxicating. Hope you don't mind if I just linger here by your door for a little while.
ReplyDeleteAmelia, they shoot these long flower stems up usually this time every year, but this year we've been lucky with so many of them.
DeleteYou are always welcome to linger and of course come on in and join me for a whisky!
Ha. We're starting to plan our next vacation....and Capetown is on the list, so save me a glass!
DeleteMy Elephant Ear has two blooms forming. I've only had the plant about 6months and is small compared to these examples. Feeling blessed and happy to see my plants so healthy! Going to try and harvest the seeds after too. Love the forum. Thank you for the space to share x
DeleteAGREE....the best smell...it should be bottled!
DeleteI know exactly what you mean about lingering and leaving with a smile! For years I'd go into my backyard sniffing that wonderful scent and not having a clue where its coming from after many years i found out it was the elephant ears. Its amazing. It would relax me in times of stress. I want to find out if there is a perfume out there that smells like the plant.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too have wanted to make such a perfume!
DeleteMine is in flower right... The smell is sensational.
ReplyDeleteA very delicious smell is the best way to describe.
Really? My flowers smell like urine. It's in my house so I was looking around and was blaming my dogs before I figured it out.
ReplyDeleteOmg!! Thought I was the only one!!! I have one plant that's fine and one on the other side of the house that smells like cat urine spray...or maybe even a dead animal..even climbed in the attic to see if an animal had got trapped and died up there..it wasnt until after tonight I found that it was coming from the plant outside the window to the room!!! Thanks for the info...will be digging up in the morning!!!
DeleteSome varieties smell like rotting meat to attract flies.
DeleteDo you know the exact name of that elephant ear you have that smells lovely? I'm after their plant name not the common name.
ReplyDeleteThank you Fiona
I think it is Alocasia x
DeleteDidn't even realise that elephant ears flowered till I saw mine and thought my neighbors had something flowering that smelt divine until closer inspection of the elephant ears flowered!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is nature :0))
It smells like vicks vaporub
ReplyDeletePeople have used fragrance like oils on their bodies for many years. Early Egyptians used perfumed balms in religious ceremonies and later it became a part of pre love making provisions. Parfum pas cher
ReplyDelete