Fragrant Orchids

The American Orchid Society, in their review of a book called Fragrant Orchids tells us that "orchids were first cultivated for their fragrance. Two centuries ago or earlier, in both China and Japan, pots of oriental cymbidiums were treasured for their scent. Their flowers are not large or bright, but their fresh, light perfume fills the air in a room and delights the nose. Confucius especially praised the elegance and fragrance of the flowers of Cymbidium ensifolium, which he called Elan (Eran in Japanese)."

A wide range of orchid genera have fragrant species and hybrids, some limited in their fragrance production to a certain time of day. And since 1989 at orchid shows, some judging is based on scent.

The first popular book on fragrant orchids, it profiles a selection of 110 orchids that can be grown for their fragrance as well as various other attractions. At first glance, it is the exquisite images that make this an outstanding little book. (Hint: the image of Phalaenopsis Mini Mark (Micro Nova × philippinensis) on the front jacket has been cropped, but there is a complete picture of this pretty flower on page 114.) Each photograph in the main part of the book is accompanied by a concise description of the orchid, and there are notes on cultivation and on the kind of fragrance produced.

In the last part of the book, six extensive lists mention a further 350 orchids that are worth growing for their fragrance, grouping them by ease of culture, season of bloom, intensity of fragrance or other characteristics. There is a final list devoted to sources of fragrant orchids, but this is limited to nurseries in the United States.