Polianthes tuberosa Sensation

Polianthes tuberosa 'Sensation' is a hybrid that is still relatively uncommon, but will delight enthusiasts of beautiful fragrant plants. This cultivar is more compact and sturdier than its Mexican cousin, famous for its heavily-scented white flowers, and produces shorter spikes, densely packed with simple, star-shaped, delicate lavender-pink flowers with a magnificent fragrance. Its flowers will delight your sense of smell and its requirements are simple and clear: it likes sun, warmth, and moist soil throughout its growing period. Like all tuberoses, it should be grown in a pot in most regions and brought indoors over winter.

Polianthes tuberosa is native to Mexico, specifically the outskirts of Mexico City, which has a subtropical climate without frost, characterised by a dry season from November to May, and a 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. Consider these requirements when growing in our climates.

'Sensation' is a recent horticultural hybrid, obtained at the University of Taiwan. This cultivar is the result of crossing Polianthes tuberosa 'La Perle' with Polianthes howardii, a robust, floriferous Mexican species with long tubular flowers in various colours. All these plants belong to the agavaceae (or asparagaceae according to classification).

These are perennial tuberous plants, meaning that each plant only flowers once, after producing several offspring tubers that will flower two to three years later. 'Sensation' develops a basal rosette of long, narrow, flat, deciduous light green leaves. They can measure up to 30 cm (12in) long and 1.5 cm (1in) wide. From the centre of the rosette a floral stem that will reach an average height of 45cm (18in) emerges. In August (or September depending on the region), it will bear a spike of 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in), composed of several dozen light lavender pink flowers. These gradually open from bottom to top and form a beautiful star-shaped corolla with tubular, waxy-looking petals that curl backwards. Their very powerful fragrance is present day and night and will also last for some time if you cut it for a vase.

Tuberoses prefer bright and warm environments, are sensitive to frost, and do not like cold temperatures. Few of us will be able to grow them in the ground and we will need to dig them up and keep them dry at a minimum of 10°C (50°F) during winter. Growing them in pots will allow them to be placed in the sun or in the conservatory, where their strong fragrance will be appreciated. The luckiest among us will be able to grow them in the ground in a small bed or rock garden, surrounded by catmints and daylilies near the terrace, for example, to enjoy their beauty and exceptional perfume. Polianthes tuberosa is now grown in India for the cosmetic and perfume industry. Its unique fragrance is used in the composition of several great perfumes.