Ylang Ylang

[Kelena]

Aloha so I just encountered a ylang ylang tree. These things are massively, ridiculously fragrant at night. I would love to have one but my lot is only 1/2 acre so I am not sure I have room for it. My friend has one in a container right by his window so the fragrance just comes flying in. Anyone else have one of these? Do you prune to keep it from getting as tall as it can get, which I understand is about 80 feet?

[bananahead]

dont know much about the tree, but I see there is a smaller variation called Cananga odorata var. fruticosa thats said to be a small tree or compact shrub.

The normal one is said to grow fast at 15'/yr and average 40', so Id think it may be too big for a 1/2 acre lot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cananga_odorata

PS there is also a smaller vine-like one... Desmos chinensis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_Ylang-ylang

Ive never seen/noticed any of these personally so dont know which types are found growing here in Hawaii... maybe the one in the container is a smaller type ??

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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha

[Iju]

Thanks bananahead, for the info on Desmos chinensis (Dwarf Ylang-ylang.)

If anyone has one for sale, please let me know. I've been looking for it all these years with no success. It's one of my fragrant flowering tree must-haves.

[kalakoa]

If all else fails, a Google search finds several nurseries, some of which even ship USPS, and something about not growing it from seed ("buy it or get a cutting").

[Kelena]

Yes, kalakoa -- I have heard that about the tree -- that it is difficult to grow from seed. Did not now about the dwarf version or that the standard version grew so fast and so high. Yikes. I am totally into fragrance right now Iju, so am keeping my eyes out (my nose out?) for some nice fragrant plants.

[steve1]

I found a dwarf Ylang Ylang at Garden exchange in Hilo a year or 2 ago. One or two gallon pot for under $10 at the time.

[Lee M-S]

I got a ylang ylang at the zoo plant sale last year. I'm not sure where it is now...

more fragrant plants; some vireyas (tropical rhododendrons), mostly pale colored ones, have a lovely fragrance. Much more delicate than ylang ylang. the plants are fast and easy growing, bloom often, and the flowers are spectacular!

><(((*> ~~~~ ><(("> ~~~~ ><'> ~~~~ >(>

[Iju]

Thanks steve1. I'll check it out next week.

Kelena, you may already know about the following fragrant flowers:

First, Jasmine Sambac, "Grand Duke of Tuscany" variety. It's my number one must-have for fragrant flowers. Bought mine from first visit to BIAN sale. It was simply labeled as "Triple flower jasmine." I bought all three pots they had at the time. If you don't know about this variety, I can bring you a stem or two of the flowers for sniff test. Mine are loaded with flowers since last week. And if you like it and want to try, I have a small pot of cutting that is growing nicely with new shoot. Will be happy give it to you...free. Here is the link of different varieties (I also have "Maid of Honor"),
http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropical...sambac.htm

Second, I think pommelo citrus tree has the strong heavenly sweet fragrance flowers more than other citrus trees that I know. And the flowers will give you big delicious fruits months later. I have the flowers for sniff test too, they are loaded right now.

These two's are also my number one fragrant flower must-have: Michelia alba, aka Paklan locally, and Michelia champaca. Paklan is easy to get one here, but champaca took me awhile. Finally found and bought one from Kapoho nursery (Kapoho Kai?) in 2009 or 2010. Since I've had these two's, I'm Ok if I don't have dwarf ylang-ylang.

[Andy]

Kelena, Frankie's on Oahu often has Canaga. Another wonderfully fragrant shrub is Tabernaemontana or Cinnamon Gardenia. My Canaga came from seed. Vintage Green Farms has a good selection of fragrant plants

[Kelena]

Iju -- yes! I would love that! So kind of you. And thanks for mentioning the other fragrant ones -- looked for a pommelo at Home Depot today but didn't see one. I will keep my eyes peeled.

And thanks, Andy -- I ran across a cinnamon Gardenia today -- it smelled very nice. I am going for ridiculously fragrant. A datura would be nice, too, I think. I will have to Google Frankie's. And maybe I need a little trip to Oahu if they don't deliver.