I’m very happy to report that one of my first bulb experiments, Albuca spiralis, has been a great success. The yellowy green flowers were quite dainty and even held a chocolatey surprise…
I first blogged about this bulb back in November 2009 when the bulbs arrived. Read the blog here. I have to confess that I felt a bit conned when the leaves first emerged and they weren’t very curly (see below). This thing is called Albuca SPIRALIS after all!
However they did start twisting as they grew more and I’ve since learnt that there can be quite a lot of variability with this plant. In the end I was quite pleased with the twisting factor and am looking forward to when the bulbs divide and I end up with a pot full of curls!
Anyway enough about the leaves. It was the flowers that held a real surprise. When I was moving the pot to a more prominent spot I caught a whiff of a perfume. I hadn’t read anywhere that these flowers were perfumed and I got a bit excited – I’m a total sucker for fragrant flowers/foliage.
And these little beauties smell of chocolate! Yes chocolate. Very strange I know. I even had Mike verify the smell as I’m prone to letting my imagination get away from me. I got him to tell me what he thought the flowers smelt like and even though he is Mister Sceptical the first thing he said was chocolate. Now if that isn’t a reason to grow these pretty little bulbs I don’t know what is!
PS I’ve since read some comments likening the perfume to “butter and vanilla” but I’m going to stick with chocolate.
PPS Don’t forget to check out The Plant Addict Shop while you’re here.
You’ll find great gift ideas for garden lovers and fellow plant addicts!