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Image of
Canaga odorata or Ylang-ylang or Ilang-ilang or Perfume tree infront of 'Casa Jenny,
Vieques, Puerto Rico
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Cananga odorata
(Ylang-ylang, Ilang-ilang, Perfume Tree) |
Origin: Native to tropical Asia and Northern Australia
Family: Annonaceae
Light:
Sun-part
shade
Height: 40-50'
Spread: 15-20'
Blooms:
Intensely sweet fragrance,
heady, bell-shaped, has 6 long trailing petals, chartreuse (yellow-green), repeated blooms.
Color changes as it matures, beginning with white, then it turns green
and finally turns to rich golden yellow
Foliage:
Dark green, glossy,
elongated
Fruit: Green,
acorn-shaped
Soil: Well-drained, mostly sandy with some clay
Water: Regular, drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds
Uses: Landscaping, specimen, ornamental, containers
Problems: Resistant to pest and disease
Caution: Fragrance can be overwhelming
Comments: This is a picture of the extremely fragrant tree Ylang-ylang growing in front of 'Casa Jenny', our vacation rental home on
Vieques Island, Puerto Rico.
http://gulfcoastrentals.com/images/casa/casajenny.htm
It is interesting to note
that the name Ylang-ylang means 'flowers of flowers'. It is such a
delight to own 2 Ylang Ylang trees in our garden. This is a rare,
no-maintenance plant except that it requires warm condition and
high humidity to survive.
Come
December, I really
love the perfume fragrance of the Ylang-ylang blossoms penetrating the air in my garden.
To some people, the scent is just too heady. Notice the
trunk of this tropical perennial becomes crooked and contorted as the
tree ages.
As you can see the branches of this tree droop and then curl up
again towards the end. The perfume Channel 5 is made from the distilled
oil of the Ylang ylang flowers. Canaga
odorata or Ilang-ilang or Ylang -ylang or Perfume Tree is an excellent plant to have for a wonderfully
scented garden.
Interesting Note: Ylang-ylang flowers have valuable properties and
are popularly used in tropical Asian countries. Ilang-ilang are used in
desserts, beverages and beauty products. In Indonesia, the newly
weds used them as an aphrodisiac by spreading them on their bed. The
fragrance of the Ylang-ylang oil are used in aromatherpy to stimulate
their senses. People with hypertension found out that their blood
pressure decreases a little just by sniffing the Perfume Tree blossoms. It is therapeutic as it
soothes the mind, relaxes the nerves and relieves your musle
spasms. Apply 6 drops of Ylang-ylang oil to every ounce of hair conditioner, you have an
excellent hair tonic. Ylang -ylang is widely used in perfumes and bath
oils. What a valuable tree to have.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 9-11 |
