Pure white and common?

Is the Common Gardenia so common? Try to search for it in towns and there's a 90% chance that you'll hardly see it at all now. I used to see them in abundance in the sixties in village compounds or town houses. These days you'll be thankful if you can stumble upon one. For that reason I have planted scores of this shrub at my farm to keep it in ready stock. I plant it mainly for its scented pure white flowers and its dark green leaves.

Arrangement # 145

I have tried to keep the theme fresh and green today. Thus I have matched the pure white flowers of the Common Gardenia ( Gardenia jasminoides) with eye- relaxing green colours of young 'pandan' leaves. Would love to name this composition simply .........Fresh, Young and Pure.

Saturday Matinee

Early this morning I was happy to notice the Creamfruit ( Roupellia grata) plant showing off its white flowers ( see inset). This plant was bought from Kuching a couple of months ago. When pruned the plant seems to grow into a beautiful shrub and may exhibit a climbing habit if left unchecked. To match it I gathered as many flowers and colourful bracts as I could.

On the list are the heliconias ( 4 varieties), gardenia ( 2 varieties) and the lilium or pink lily hybrid. Today's special I thought. Make the composition as colourful and striking as possible.

Arrangement # 143

Today being a Saturday, I would like to name the composition as ...Saturday Matinee.

A Lady Blushing

There is so much of fragrance, sweet fragrance in the air today. I see the common gardenia or Cape Jasmine ( Gardenia jasminoides) and the Plumeria rubra var.acutifoloia throwing their scent to the wind. How could I miss this opportunity? Below is a closer view of the plumeria having smaller sized white petals flushed with yellow in the centre.

Like the gardenia, plumerias flower continuously. Their bunchy flowers are eye-catching .

Arrangement # 142

Having gathered the flowers of the gardenia and plumeria, I placed them inside a glass vase. To add greenery I threw in the variegated leaves of cordyline or 'Ti" plant as they are known in Hawaii. The pink colours of Lilium would provide much sparkle to the show. What would you say to a pretty girl in yellow, pink and white ? ......I would say "Wow, You're Pretty."

Gardenia augusta or Cape Jasmine

Arrangement # 111

Apparently my camera was not its normal self this afternoon. The picture above is possible after many editing attempts.Hah!. Anyway, my focus today is the white, large and fragrant flowers of the common gardenia( Gardenia augusta or Cape jasmine).

Even as late as 5.30 pm I could find fresh blooms at many a shrub around my chalet today.  Having gathered enough, I cut a few bracts of the calathea lutea and recycled yesterday's heliconia bracts to make today's presentation.

The interesting thing about the gardenia is that it is supposed to be originated from the Cape of Good Hope ( Africa) thus its name Cape Jasmine.  However it is also native to China and introduced to this part of the world, thus popularly known as 'Bunga Cina' in Malay, meaning Chinese Flower.

However for me from the many synonyms, my favourite is to refer this plant as the Cape Jasmine because in today's world of aroma theraphy the jasmine fragrance is always a better brand name.

Thus, my title for today's composition....My Jasmine.