‘Night Jasmine’ – A Tree of Sorrow

One of the most strong fragrant flower in my garden is ‘Night Jasmine’ or ‘Parijat’ (or กรรณิการ์ in Thai). Native to India, Night Jasmine flowers bloom at night and cast off in the morning so the tree is sometimes called the ‘Tree of Sorrow’.


The orange tube in center of the flower can be used as a sourse of yellow dye for clothing while many parts such as leaves and seeds have been used as traditional medicine.

Delightful Fragrance of Indian Cork Tree

I love early morning walk in my garden. Most of the time I see the green lawn’s carpeting with silvery-white, delightfully fragrant flowers of the Indian Cork Tree (Millingtonia Hortensis) or ‘Peep' (ปีป) in Thai. I couldn’t help myself picking up some fallen flowers and put them in a small jar for a long lasting freshness scent.

With more than 10 meters in height, this fast growing tree is the tallest plant in my home garden. Blooming all year round but have prolific flowers after rainy season.

In ancient Thai, dried Peep flowers chopped and wrapped with Nelumbo lotus petal were used as herbal smoking cigarette.

Gustavia Augusta... A Heaven Lotus

Originate in Equator countries like Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia, Gustavia augusta or Heaven Lotus (‘บัวสวรรค์’ in Thai) seems to grow well in my tropical garden. Though this Lotus-like flowers have a very short blooming period before fallen, I still love its sweet pink color and pleasant fragrance.

Once A Year Blooming ‘Parameria’

Cool season in Thailand seemed to last only a week this year. Fortunately, my favorite Parameria barbata or ช่อมาลี in Thai was fully bloomed just in time.

A sweet unique fragrant of this quick growing vine flower makes it worth waiting for...