The colourful fragrance of summer
By ARM
@responsiveme (22926)
India
May 29, 2017 9:15am CST
The cool Spring has given place to a hot summer. Humid days with dazzling sunshine makes it a wise choice for me to keep indoors as much as I can.
That is not possible so I venture out armed with a big umbrella, sun glasses and cool cotton clothes.
In spite of the heat, the outside world has its own attractions. This is the time the trees take the limelight. The darling buds of May have blossomed and the burst forth in a myriad of colours. I rejoice in the sights of the red Gulmohar, the pink Cassia, the purple Jacaranda and the golden blossoms of the Amaltus which hang down in clusters
Heady scents overwhelm my senses as I pass near the Nahor, Champa , Gardenia and Bokul trees The natural scents of the flowers are used for making perfumes which are light and suitable for hot weather. These are used in aroma therapy for relaxation.
I pluck a couple of these gardenias and the whole room is filled with this pleasant scent. Fragrances they say have the power to evoke memories and as I sit and mylot my mind wanders far back to summer holidays spent at grandparents. I can see my grandfather using his curved walking stick handle to bring down just a single gardenia and place it in a vase in my grandmother’s dressing table.
Does any scent take you back in time/ And where?
Photo:A gardenia bush in my college. and the flowers in my vase...my photo
57 people like this
57 responses
@Linda1234 (4714)
• Houston, Texas
29 May 17
The flowers look so nice . They are beautiful decoration in the room .
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
29 May 17
@Linda1234 Thank you...they give off a beautiful scent too.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 May 17
Yes, they do and I actually stopped and smelled the roses outside of church yesterday.
4 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
29 May 17
Lovely...I have put a rose sachet in my cupboard and bought a rose essential oil to put in bath water.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (459079)
• Switzerland
30 May 17
@responsiveme It requires a lot of care, I have to move it in the greenhouse during winter, but I like that plant.
3 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
@LadyDuck The scent is really fragrant. In our language it is called ..Gondhoraj....loosely transalated...king of perfumes
3 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Most of the memories here go back to grandparents' houses.
you are lucky to have a gardenia in your garden.
3 people like this
@just4him (307054)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 May 17
@responsiveme Those sound like lovely scents.
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
I like only floral and sandalwood perfumes.Thanks for reading
2 people like this
@spaceseed (2843)
• India
29 May 17
Have you ever gifted flower to your girlfriend?
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
No, my girlfriends all are good gardeners and have their own gardens
2 people like this
@Nawsheen (28643)
• Mauritius
30 May 17
@responsiveme You are right. It's beautiful
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
I just love the natural display of colours and scents
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Lilacs are exotic flowers here so not smelt them.would love to
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22528)
• Palisade, Colorado
12 Aug 17
@responsiveme It sure is. I don't live there anymore but the last time I was by there the bushes were still there. I will have more some day.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
12 Aug 17
That is one of the most satisfying experiences to see a tiny plant grow and grow till it flowers.Enjoy your lilacs.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
15 Aug 17
@velvet53 I can relate...It's a sweet sad moment to see the beloved plants in the garden which you had .But I guess it's nice other people are enjoying them
All the best for your lilacs ....And whatever else you want to plant
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111249)
• El Paso, Texas
30 May 17
If it's not windy I most certainly will @responsiveme hopefully you'll be sitting in your garden breathing in all that wonderful aroma
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
@rebelann that's not my garden...its in my college. I don't have a garden anymore
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
29 May 17
@responsiveme Those are lovely flowers.Yes,scents of flowers take me back to my younger days.
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
The gardenias were too much of a temptation to resist but I too keep most of my flowers in the garden.
I gave away lots of my plants to the college and so I do get to say hi to them there
Glad you could smell the fragrance
Glad you could smell the fragrance2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Nice to know...I see the bees swarming all over them
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
30 May 17
They are so beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers. I love the scent even of tree flowers as I pass by them in my early morning walks. I can't recall any event with such smell.
2 people like this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Those thoughts come to my mind suddenly.yes you will be having lots of fragrant flowers too
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
30 May 17
Sounds like good memories. I often feel that way when I smell freshly mowed lawns, rain, and other outside smells. It reminds me of my childhood. I remember as a kid we would actually use the cut grass from the mower and shove it down the backs of each other's shirts, then we'd be itching until we had to shower lol.
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12269)
• United States
30 May 17
@responsiveme Back then it was fun, now it'd drive me bonkers if someone did that to me. For me, it's just remembering the innocence of childhood.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Yes, that's just what I meant....The smell of freshly cut grass...I have it in my memories too.
You'll must have had fun then
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
@sissy15 obviously , no question of that now...I too meant the innocent play of kids
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
30 May 17
I love the smell of roses or orchids @responsiveme , we are now heading into winter, enjoy your summer.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
30 May 17
@responsiveme thank you my favourite thing to do in winter is find a sunny space and drink hot chocolate or make a nice pot of soup. There is not much else to do in winter.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Summer after this will get hot...but then the monsoons will follow.
You enjoy your winter there. What are the good things you'll do then?
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
@bluesa and oranges ? I do all those you mentioned and gorge on oranges too which are available then
1 person likes this
@dianadee (1778)
• South Africa
30 May 17
My gran had beautiful fragrant red roses in her garden, Always remember that deep heady scent!
@dianadee (1778)
• South Africa
30 May 17
@responsiveme Please tell me what a rose ratchet is. Do not know the meaning of that word?
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Great memories.I have just put a rose ratchet in my closet
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
31 May 17
@dianadee ooops ! sorry the auto spell is at fault...It should be sachet. It's a packet with holes containing rose essence and keeps the closet pleasantly perfume d
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
27 Jun 17
The flowers in the picture look lovely @responsiveme
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
27 Jun 17
@responsiveme Wow! You must be sleeping soundly at night.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3038)
•
30 May 17
Those gardenias are beautiful! Yes, honeysuckle reminds me of my childhood in West Virginia.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3038)
•
30 May 17
@responsiveme - We used to pick the blossoms and eat the little drop of nectar that comes out if you gently pinch off the end and draw out the stamen.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
@AliCanary yes, we did that too and also with a tiny white flower which grew near the ground
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
30 May 17
Honeysuckle grows here too and I love it's bright colors trailing all over
1 person likes this
