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MADHUKAMINI

 



LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

11/VI/2025

 

The very Indian name sounds attractive and captivating. I have heard names of people to be ‘Madhu’ meaning nectar, honey or sweetness and ‘Kamini’ to be interpreted as a lady who is voluptuous, attractive, desirable, beautiful, charming, captivating, having qualities of femininity and grace. This flower I am going to talk about is a combination of both.

 

Last year, I was looking for a nursery which could deliver plants called “birds of paradise”. One was shortlisted and the order was placed. Then as usual the delay. Plants were ordered from Pune and due to Ganpati Festival, their staff was on chutti. I could understand their sentiments, having stayed long enough in Maharashtra.

 

A week turned to a month, neither they were refunding the money nor were they dispatching the plants. I then lost my shirt. That made them dispatch them the same day. When the plants arrived, I received a surprise gift as a compensation for the delay from their side.

 

I called to thank them and asked about this additional plant. They said it is called “Madhukamini”. I had heard about it but now to possess it and grow it would be something interesting.

 

My wife and I were leaving for our after dinner stroll, when a very pungent citrusy odour caught our nostrils. Though our lemon and bonsai orange plants were not flowering. This smell was similar but distinct. This needed investigation.

 

With my nose put to good use, I followed the scent and reached one corner of our garden. This plant had come as a one-foot sapling and today was a three-foot bush and laden with flowers.

 

What took my breath away was the small clusters of flowers which were blooming and emanating such a pleasant and refreshing smell. This had to go in my records as a photo as also a chapter of my book on gardening called ‘aroma therapy’.

 

It had taken seven months for this plant to flower. The wait was worth the effort. I am told it can be used as a hedge or a border plant. It is also called the “Orange Jasmine” and that is why it has a lime and lemony smell.

 

Bees and insects have been attracted to the flowers. However, it is the olfactory experience which is the icing on the cake. It is an evergreen shrub and we shall make it a ‘corner stone’ of our garden.

 

Had they delayed the dispatch more, would I have got more ‘gorgeous’ plants as gifts? I wonder!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS






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