Re: Mirabilis

Bob Beer wrote:
I've seen this reference to the "heavy scent" of Mirabilis jalapa many times, and chock it up to seed catalogue exaggeration. Istanbul is overrun with Mirabilis, it's around just about every tree in the city and front gardens are overflowing with it, but I never smelled anything unless I stuck my face right into it, then I can detect a light fragrance.

A white one does sound nice though!
They used to be petty common in Nairobi too, the municipal beds lining one side of a long public road were completely planted with them, but I never thought of them as scented.

I just wonder if just the white version might be more strongly secented. As we know many white flowers are moth pollinated and mostly smell quite strongly to attract their chosen helpers.

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ. Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES AND DIAGRAMS ADDED 20/Feb/2005

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