Polianthes tuberosa Yellow Baby

Polianthes tuberosa 'Yellow Baby' is a new hybrid tuberose, distinguished by its short flowering stems that do not require staking, as well as its single flowers, unique in their funnel shape and very pale lemon yellow colour. As fragrant as those of its famous cousin 'La perle', they fill the air with their unmistakable scent, especially in the evening. This early variety with a long summer flowering period is an excellent plant for sunny borders in mild climates. Elsewhere, it can be grown in pots that are stored dry in winter. 

Polianthes tuberosa is native to Mexico, particularly the surroundings of 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 data allow us to adapt the cultivation methods that should be applied under our climates.

'Yellow Baby' is a recent horticultural hybrid, obtained at the University of Taiwan. This cultivar is derived, among others, from Polianthes tuberosa 'La Perle' and Polianthes howardii, a robust, floriferous Mexican species with tubular flowers of variable colour. All these plants belong to the agavaceae family (or asparagaceae according to classification). They are semelparous tuberous perennials, which means that each plant only flowers once, having ensured its offspring by producing several small tubers that will flower two to three years later. 'Yellow Baby' develops a basal rosette of long, narrow, flat, deciduous, light green leaves. They can measure up to 30 cm (12in) long and 1 cm (0in) wide. Flowering occurs from June to September. From the centre of the rosett, flowering stems emerge and reach a height of 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in). They bear a spike composed of dozens of creamy yellow flowers, tinged with pale lemon. These gradually open from bottom to top and form narrow, waxy-looking trumpets that curve backwards to form a small star-shaped cup. Their very powerful scent is present both day and night, and also lingers for some time if you cut them and display them in a vase.

Tuberose plants therefore prefer bright and warm environments, are sensitive to frost, and do not appreciate cold weather. Few of us will be able to grow them in the ground and will have to dig them up anyway to keep them dry and at a minimum of 10°C (50°F) during winter. Growing them in pots will be easier and allow them to be placed in the sun or in 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 catmints for example, near the terrace to fully enjoy their beauty and exceptional perfume. Polianthes tuberosa is now cultivated in India for the cosmetics and perfumery industry. Its unique fragrance is used in the composition of several great perfumes.