Summer nights in South Florida can be wonderfully fragranced in the garden. I collected a vase of fragrant flowers to scent my house. Frangipani and Gardenia are two of the most popular and have been in my garden for years. I am thinking of adding a night blooming Jasmine.
I learned recently about the origin of the name Frangipani, the yellow flower above. It seems there was an Italian nobleman named Frangipani who made gloves. One of the features of his gloves was their scent, bitter almond. The gloves scent reminded many people of the scent of the Plumeria (Frangipani) and that became its common name. The botanical name, Plumeria, is in honor of King Louis XIV’s botanist, Charles Plumier. Plumier was a monk who traveled the Caribbean collecting tropical plants. Plumerias are native to Central America and the Caribbean. I always thought they were from the South Pacific and Frangipani was a Hawaiian word, not so much.
A closer view:
The yellow flower is Frangipani (Plumeria spp), I wish I knew the variety name, this one is very common around here as a pass along plant and develops into a nice small tree – if you know how to prune them, and I haven’t quite figured that out. Pink flowers are Giant Dianthus, I am expecting these to rollover and die any day now from the heat, but until then I will enjoy them. A chartreuse coleus leaf drapes over the edge of the vase along with Tropical Gardenias (Tabenaemontana diviricata).
A miniature pineapple adds a tropical punch; the white spikes are Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata), adding more fragrance to the vase. Asian Sword Ferns provide greenery.
No more fun facts from my wonderfully scented house. I actually picked the scented plants because I was cleaning the oven and things were getting smoky. The oven is beautifully clean now and all is well. Visit Cathy at ramblinginthegarden to see more vases.
The Shrub Queen 
I never knew that about the names. There always seems to be some story behind them. It is nice to have scent through the summer. Most of our scented plants bloom only in the spring and cold fronts keep us from the tropical bloomers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought Frangipani was Polynesian. Oh well. I envy your Fragrant Osmanthus. One of my favorites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That plumeria is so lovely, and I’m envious of it scenting your house, as well as your clean oven! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The sweet almond is outdoing the Plumeria. I am most thrilled with the oven! It is beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know about Mr. Frangipangi, thanks for sharing. Ah, I bet your house does smell lovely with that gorgeous arrangement, and a nice sparkling clean oven to boot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am thrilled about the oven!
LikeLike
What a stunning collection – I can just imagine how delicious it smells. I absolutely love frangipani and gardenia. How lovely to be able to grow them! I would be burying my head in them all the time if I could grow them here, I’m bad enough with the roses, once they’re out I can’t pass them without a deep sniff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am enjoying the scentsational event! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beauty…that Frangipani is so lovely. What a fragrant vase too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your fragrant flowers all sound lovely. I only have a vague idea of what the different scents are like, but can appreciate their pretty appearance instead. Especially the Frangipan flowers. Lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy. Think gardenia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE the addition of the tiny pineapple, Amelia. I’m looking forward to the arrival of Plumeria flowers here but it’ll be awhile – the plants haven’t even developed their leaves yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kris. Well, in my garden the flowers often start before the leaves on the Plumerias.
LikeLike
Beautiful flowers and aromas Amelia. I wish my gloves would smell like almonds 😂 I wonder if it is the same gentleman who gave his name to the filling in tarts and pastries? It could well be even though there is a slight variation in the spelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Anna. I feel the same about my gloves, though I am wondering what bitter almond smells like? No idea about the pastry.
LikeLike
WIth so much fragrance, would any more really be noticeable? . . . or is there less fragrance at night? Night blooming jasmine is one of several species that I miss from Southern California. We tried it here, but it keeps succumbing to frost. If it can get big enough, the roots survive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is the other side of the house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, of course.
LikeLike
That’s really interesting about the origin of the names – but why did Frangipani’s glowves smell of bitter almonds…? It makes such a good focal point for your vase, and the other things support it without detracting from its beauty
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he scented them purposely with bitter almond oil and it was kind of a trademark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is lovely. “Frangipani” probably sounds much different in Italian than the way I’ve always heard it. The dianthus has a nice distinctive pinking shear edge. Hope it holds up for you for a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, I am certain a North Carolina accent puts a different spin on Frangipani!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What scent heaven!
LikeLiked by 1 person