My gran loved the Brunfelsia calycina. “It’s Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” she would tell me. That had a nice ring to it and I wanted one too. I loved the monochromatic blooms; purple, lilac and white blooms all on one plant.
But when I actually got the plant, I couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. The flowers smelled offensive and I was overpowered by the scent.
And then just about everyone started talking about the Brunfelsia Americana (BA) on Green Culture Singapore.
“Does it stink?” I asked Richard. “Can you describe the smell? How strong is it?” I asked the most impossible questions and he was patient enough not to tell me to stuff it. 😀
I scoured the garden centres at Sg Buloh for a plant, but it remained elusive. Two kind forumers in Singapore sensed my desperation and sent me some seeds.
And then I realized that someone down the road had a plant that bloomed profusely. I was convinced it was the BA. All I had to do was to pluck up the courage to ask for a cutting. I agonized over this but a person’s got to do what a person’s got to do … And I was rewarded with a long cutting for my efforts.
Then one day, I finally found the plant at a nursery nearby! I couldn’t believe my eyes and grabbed a couple. Never mind their scrawny shapes. They were BAs and were more than a foot tall!
Its pale yellow flowers are more understated compared to its purple cousin, but it smelled heavenly. I carried the pot to the ledge beneath the window whenever it bloomed so I could smell its sweet perfume .
And today, the Brunfelsia Americana bloomed its head off. Ahhhhh … and the scent just wafted in! 🙂
Care and propagation: full sun; well drained soil; water moderately. Propagate using seeds or cuttings.
How did the offensive smelling Brunfelsia turn fragrant? Had you got the wrong plant or must its fragrance be an acquired taste?
From your description and photos, I’m imagining a heady sweet fragrance – like lily-of-the-valley – beautiful but not everybody’s favourite – Am I close?
i found the scent of the brunfelsia calycina (purple blooms)offensive.
but the scent of the brunfelsia americana (yellow) is lovely.
the thing is, the scent is imperceptible by day and gets stronger as night falls.
that is nice plant!!!!
i think so too. we are thinking of getting more … 😀
Hi typicalgardener,
I think i can smell the fragrance already! Which nursery did you get this plant from?
BTW, could u give me the location/name of the nursery in Sg Buloh which have the most herbs. Is it the one u posted the herbs photo in one of your GCS blog in May 2009?
i found the BA from a nursery at tropicana, pauline.
there are a number of nurseries at sg B selling herbs now – the sisters, yeap and another two further down the same road.
Hi typicalgardener,
Could you pls give me the name and location of the nursery at tropicana where you found the BA bcoz i’ve scoured thru the area but still could not find it, TQ SO MUCH!
try Lot 3, Green Mart @ Tropicana, pauline. that’s where i found a couple the last time.
is there a Green Mart @ Tropicana? I could only find Garden Mart near to the Tropicana golf club and they have never seen this plant b4! Which part of Tropicana are you referring to?
i went today. there aren’t any more there. but aunty yoke’s place has – just one plant.
I’ve got the plant!
You’ve been so helpful, my most sincere Thanks to you. I can smell the beautiful fragrance now………………..Thanks again
That’s great, and you’re most welcome, pauline. 🙂
I have a purple YTT and the fragrance is mild. The BA that you have has so many blooms! I can smell the fragrance just by looking at those lovely blooms.
I have 2 pots of purple YTT but they have been attacked badly by mealy bugs. I just don’t know what to do in order to get rid of the mealy bugs. They keep returning despite the various remedy I tried on them. Sigh!
mealy bugs are persistent. i’ve got them in the garden too and it’s a constant battle.
After their active crawling stage during bloom, the mealy bugs hide beneath loose bark (on the roots also) and under the sepals that cling to the seed capsule. They can be rubbed out with fingers. This year, I am removing all seed capsules in hope of reducing their populations.
I just got myself one today, had one 16 years ago and wanted one for my house i brought, smell of a night beautiful.