Jasmine
Last week at the garden centre I treated myself to a little jasmine plant. It was completely in bud, but hadn’t started to open yet. I’m always a tiny bit wary about buying jasmine plants. I don’t really have a good record with keeping them happy. My house is too dry and sometimes the little buds just shrivel right up before they even get a chance to open. In winter it’s too warm and despite several attempts, I have never managed to overwinter jasmine and get it to flower the second year. I’m a dab hand with orchids, but jasmine, no.
Despite all this I bought my little plant.
Why?
The smell. Jasmine flowers have a perfume that never fails to lift my spirits. It’s very strong and I love it. As you can see, my little plant has now started to bloom and is filling my little work area and my bedroom with a scent that intoxicates. It changes my whole mood from the very first breath. It greets me when I walk up the stairs and into the room and I can feel my shoulders dropping and relaxing. It calms and focuses. I have even caught myself just sitting and breathing, drinking it in and savouring every breath.
I don’t know how long it will last, my little plant. Or how long the flowers will stay before they die and lose their fragrance. It didn’t cost much – maybe as much as four cups of coffee in a café. At the time it felt like a bit of an extravagance, but it is giving me so much pleasure. Just sitting next to it means that my day starts out right. Ironing right next to it this morning was way more pleasant than usual and I feel calm and ready to tackle whatever delights the day (and my teenagers) may throw at me.
It was something nice for me. Something small that I almost didn’t buy, but which has brightened my week. Something small that has made me happy.
Sometimes we need those little things. They do make a difference.
Helen
March 16th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
You are so right, Helen. It is the small things……
March 16th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more, Helen. The jasmine plant is so beautiful…I hope it’s hardy and lasts for you. I love the smell of jasmine tea too….almost spend more time inhaling the fragrance than sipping the tea. Have a wonderful week!
March 16th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Jasmine grows like a weed where I live. My dad has the whole back of his house covered with jasmine vines and the smell is intoxicating in the early summer.
March 16th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
You have me wanting to go looking for a jasmine plant now, though I have to admit houseplants and I don’t seem to get on too well.
March 16th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
I hate to admit it, but I too tend to kill my houseplants – only the most hardy survive – I’m more of a vegetable gardening kind of gal.
My paper treat arrived in today’s mail- Knitting Vintage Socks and I’ve already identified a few that I want to knit – guess I’m hooked (or should be say knitted).
March 16th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Ooh – the smell of jasmine is heavenly. Enjoy your little corner of paradise and in this topsy turvey unpredictable world it really is the small things that matter. Enjoy!
March 17th, 2011 at 2:16 am
One of my favorite things at this time of year. That scent is unbelievable. Quite frankly who cares of it dies; you’ll enjoy every minute of it while it’s blooming. Relax and enjoy!
March 17th, 2011 at 9:00 am
The scent of hyacinths is one of my favourites. They’re just starting to come out in the garden now. I also love lily of the valley and lavander.
Enjoy your beautiful little plant!