Polianthes tuberosa Pink Sapphire

Polianthes tuberosa Pink Sapphire is a rare hybrid tuberose, a botanical treasure still relatively little known. Its cousin 'La Perle', fills the air with its heavy scent of white flowers and needs no introduction. Pink Sapphire is more resistant, taller than La Perle and unfurls a floral stem laden with very double flowers in summer, medium pink with a hint of smoke and a touch of mauve, with the same enchanting fragrance. Its flowering is a delight and its requirements are simple and clear, it likes sun, heat, and moist soil throughout its growing period. It should be grown in pots in most regions and brought indoors for winter.

Polianthes tuberosa is native to Mexico, particularly around Mexico City, which has a subtropical climate without frost, characterised by a dry season from November to May and a rather rainy summer season (from June to mid-October). This plant is becoming rare in its natural environment and generally grows in sandy but humus-rich, well-drained soils. These facts allow you to adapt cultivation methods in our climates.

'Pink Sapphire' is a recent horticultural hybrid, obtained at the University of Taiwan. This cultivar is the result of hybridisation between Polianthes tuberosa 'La Perle' and Polianthes howardii, a robust Mexican species. All these plants belong to the agave family (or asparagus family according to classification). They are semelparous tuberous perennials, meaning that each plant only flowers once, having produced several small tubers that will bloom two to three years later. 'Pink Sapphire' develops a basal rosette composed of long, narrow, flat, deciduous, light green leaves. They can measure up to 50 cm (20in) long and 1.5 to 2 cm (1in) wide. From the centre of the rosette, a floral stem that can reach 1.20 m (4ft) high will emerge. From July (or August depending on the region) onwards, it will bear a 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16in) spike composed of several dozens of flowers in a rich pink colour. These flowers gradually open from bottom to top and form several rows of waxy-looking petals that curve backwards, creating a beautiful star-shaped cup. Their very powerful fragrance is present day and night and lasts for some time if you cut them and display them in a vase.

Tuberose plants prefer bright and warm environments, they are sensitive to frost and do not like the cold. Few of us will be able to grow them in the ground, and in any case, they will need to be lifted to spend the winter dry and at a minimum of 10°C (50°F). Growing them in pots will be easier and allow them to be placed in the sun or the conservatory, in an atmosphere that will reveal their powerful fragrance. The luckiest among us will be able to grow them in the ground in a small bed or rockery, against a backdrop of nepetas for example, near the terrace to enjoy their beauty and exceptional perfume. Polianthes tuberosa is grown in India for the cosmetic and perfume industry. Its unique fragrance is used in the composition of several major perfumes.