Stephanotis' Story

I keep my ancient (at least 25 years) Stephanotis Vine in my studio in the winter as the growing room is just a tiddle too chilly for this warm blooded plant. Not that my studio is that much warmer BUT it does do okay there. As the wheel of the year turns and the days lengthen - the stronger sunshine prompts clusters of white waxy buds to appear all over the vine - must be at least 6 or so already but only a couple are fully open. These clusters of thick waxy flowers have a deep heavy perfume - the fragrance is rich, heavy and intoxicating reminding one of a hot summer's night when the humid air is laden with illicit scents from a hidden garden. An air of exoticism abounds. The fact that it is also known as Madagascar Jasmine says it all. Such vivid pictures can enter one's head with eyes closed with this scent in the air. “Out of the 10,000 plants native to Madagascar, 90% of them are found nowhere else in the world.”
I am fortunate that natural scents do not bother me. This flower is often used in bridal bouquets. It is known as the flower of sensual "lust". Though it also stands for "Happiness in marriage plus a desire to travel and has a come to me attitude."

Night Flowers of The Tropics
By Don Blanding
http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/musings/Blanding.html

Sometimes the strident reds and burning blues,
The raw vermillions and magenta hues
Are all too harsh…they persecute our eyes.
So then, like pallid ghosts of butterflies,
White Ginger blossoms float above a pool.
Divinely fragrant, silken-soft and cool,
Or Stephanotis, mimicking the tropic skies,
Flaunts gleaming waxen stars before our eyes;
Sheer webs of lace the Spider-Lilies weave,
So frailly delicate, we must believe
that pixies, skilled in magick, spent the night
With nimble fingers spinning "Queen’s Delight";
Magnolias tilt their carven ivory cups
To catch the moon-wine that Titania sups.
I cannot name them all…I have not room
To praise each flower that with sweet perfume
Beguiles my lazy fancy with it’s fragrant white
And floats a web of glamour on the magic night

A long aggressive vine which loves to twine around anything it comes across. Can grow over 15 feet - but I keep twining mine around and around. Must be frustrating for it as I know it would just rather do its own thing amd ramble as it wishes - just like me.
So here we sit - me with my wild thoughts on flowers vines even on scent with snow several feet deep just outside the window. T'is no surprise I find myself reading about warmer climes. For those in the same boat here is a good read:
http://www.janesoceania.com/cookislands_rarotonga_visit/index.htm

Enjoy!
Life is good Sharon