Monday, January 14, 2013

winter tuberoses




We overshot Christmas. I say 'we' as i was driving. There were two plants that decided to throw up flower stalks in early November.  Instead of moving them into the warmer house when i lifted them, as opposed to the cooler glasshouse, i forestalled their opening. (You will find the practice of tuberoses for Christmas in the type of gardening books that crumble and lose pages if you are not careful while reading. Such ideas are antique and i think due for a revival.)

Even though i learned my lesson in temperature and timing, i am not going to mind Anytime a tuberose wants to bloom. Indeed, in the quiet aftermath of holiday hoopla, they garner more attention. The odd time of year that these are choosing to bloom only adds to the mystic and to have their decadent scent wafting around the house at night, when all other fragrance is with Persephone, is commanding. This is not background music.

Twas back in August when i started the tuberose enfleurage tray (the process of laying down flowers in 'fat', to absorb the fragrance) and each night i pick the blooms that have opened, at the moment of highest decibels and lay them down to give up their magic.




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