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Would Australians know?
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Posted by meixue 10-11 (My Page) on Thu, Apr 1, 04 at 14:15
Hi Australia forum, I hope someone here can help me. I have a question about a tree/shrub I saw in New Zealand. I was there in November in Christchurch's botanical garden. This is a complete long shot but have any of you been there? I did write down the name of a plant that I wanted to buy when I got back to San Francisco but it got lost in the shuffle. Here is goes, there was a bush, 6-7 feet tall, dark green rounded leaves. It stopped me in my tracks with its delicious candy sweet scent even before I spotted it. It wasnt in the fragrant plants display and I dont remember where I was when I ran into it. Anyone see/smell the same thing I did? The plant was filled with 1 inch purple flowers (kind of thick waxy flowers with a bit of a twist in their shape but not a full on corkscrew). Heavenly scent, I just gotta have it but dont want to fly to NZ again to get its name. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and one of you'll have seen the same thing. Thanks a lot guys.
Meixue |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Would Australians know?
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| Meixue, you might get a better idea on this NZ Forum. Regards, Shax |
Here is a link that might be useful: NZ Gardening
RE: Would Australians know?
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| See if Christchurch botanical gardens has a web site, or look for the Christchurch council site and ask someone on the council site. You should find the council site very helpful. Robyn |
Here is a link that might be useful: Christchurch city council
RE: Would Australians know?
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Hi guys, I will try the NZ forum, I didnt even know they had one for NZ. Anyhow, I heard from someone at the Christchruch botanical garden by e mail (I wrote to them yesterday) and they said they are sure that the plant I am talking about is a michelia figo. *Sigh* I know its not because Michelia is white tinged with purple and the plant I saw was right on solid bright purple. Tried again to look for that darn plant list last night but no luck. I'm starting to think I'm becoming obcessive compulsive about finding that plant now.. LOL.. thanks for everyones help
Meixue |
RE: Would Australians know?
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| The old story Meixue - Persistance persistance persistance, here is what I would do: thank the CBG for their advice and say "no that is not the one I saw it was near (pick a CBG gardens land mark or other plant)" you obviously are now relying on memeory here if that fails, go to the NZ Yellow pages for Christchurch look up Gardening contractors or a Nursery and politely ask them to check for you? or ask them is the a Friends of the CBG group running about - may help you find your holy plant grail and help you sleep lol. Regards M |
RE: Would Australians know?
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| Not surprised they think it is michelia figo by your description. Is that you sighing again? And are you singing, in Cabaret-like eclat; "If you could only have seen it with my eyes". |
RE: Would Australians know?
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| Could it be a brunsfelsia, commonly called "yesterday, today and tomorrow" (it was purple yesterday, lavender today and white tomorrow). Not all are perfumed, but the ones that are ARE!! |
RE: Would Australians know?
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Hi Everyone, Hey, its possible that it could have been the brunsfelsia. I'll have to go online and check it out. But the whole plant had all purple flowers on it, I mean if brunsfelsias flowers change colors wouldnt there be some white, purple and lavendar colors all mixed on the plant? Anyhow, tried one last place to look for the list last night but no luck. I appreciate everyones help. Thanks a bunch!
Meixue |
RE: Would Australians know?
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| There are a number of varieties of brunsfelsia - flowers vary from white through cream to pale yellow, as well as the varieties which flower in the lavender to purple range. There are a couple of Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow types which are fairly common in Australia - b. latifolia is one. However, there are others which I have only seen photographs of. Brunsfelsia magnifica has large violet-purple flowers and b. pauciflora deep purple which fade to lavender. They all come from South America and, theoretically, like a warm, frost free environment. However, I live in an area with cold winters and very heavy frosts - my b. latifolia, which is 4 or 5 years old, lives in a tub positioned against a north-facing brick wall which is exposed to the winter sun but protected from the cold wind and frost. It puts on a magnificent show in late spring when it is covered with flowers. |
RE: Would Australians know?
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| Tibouchina supports the flower colour and shape, but didn't think it was strongly scented, so just a guess. |
RE: Would Australians know?
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Sask-Tibouchina, really looks likt the same kind of flowers but leaves were fuller and rounder. Well, I never could find that piece of paper with the name of the plant on it but if I ever do run across it I'll make a follow up post. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions. Really appreciate it.
Meixue |
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