Hi Matt!

I apologize for going off topic on your C. elegans 'Smithii' post and I thank you for not going Jersey Shore on me (your response made me laugh).

I also want to thank you for the wealth of information you gave on Orange Peel and buying fragrant plants in general.
If only the internet allowed us to smell the plants before we purchased them.
I went ahead and ordered my Orange Peel from Pepper's Greenhouses (their site does state the flowers are fragrant).
Another plant I'm considering from them since they state it is fragrant is Jasminum multiflorum. I've read that some cultivars are fragrant and others are not. My book 'The Genus Jasminum in Cultivation' mentions the sweet scent is best in the morning. Some people have described it as having a gardenia like scent.

Of course now I'm also wanting Cestrum aurantiacum 'Lemon Peel' since I love citrus scents!

-Robert

I finally smelled my Cestrum Orange Peel a couple of nights ago! To me it sorta smells like Chinese Perfume Plant (Aglaia odorata) though not as refined. More of a 'high' note to it. Doesn't smell like C. nocturnum to me and definitely is not as fragrant but still a pleasant surprise since I'm primarily growing it to attract hummingbirds. :)
The scent doesn't waft (had to stick my nose to the blooms) but maybe the scent will become stronger later in the season when it gets hot and muggy.

-Robert

Congratulations Robert! That is exciting. Mine is blooming too. My Cestrum lemon peel was blooming at Christmas. I think it is my favorite. I have a question for you. Would you say that Chinese Perfume Plant (Aglaia odorata) smells like lemon/lime? Night blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) for me has the same soda fiz, but also a strong yeasty scent. Not everyone likes it. Cestrum 'Lemon Peel' and 'Orange Peel have none of the yeast. I am going to have to order 'Orange Peel' from Pepper's now that you have given such glowing praise of their 'Orange Peel'. I like cestrums better, the later they bloom in the fall. This may be because I appreciate flower then and in December more in general, but I also think somehow that fragrances change in the cool air. I love Tulbahgia fragrans best in fall and winter, by June it reminds me of the hot iron smell of Korean rose. To me, though it is a near constant bloomer for me, Swetet Almond Verbena (Aloysia virgata) has a sort of rankness under the sweet scent. In fall though, it is all sweetness and almond. I think of all these, along with Cestrums as fall flowers because their bloom is most profuse at this season. You are right that the fragrance will carry farther farther in summer, but you may like them best in Fall. Best wishes, Sincerely,
Matt

Hi Matt!

Thank you for your input.

I would say Aglaia odorata smells like fresh lemon rind...maybe. I've heard descriptions ranging from a clean, sparkling lemony scent to Limoncello and Roy Genders in Scented Flora of the World states the following 'Said to be the most exquisitely scented of all flowers, like vanilla but with spicy undertones.' L'Occitane's lemon verbena Eau de Toilette sort of reminds me of the scent when the real thing is not available.
Anyway I adore the scent as you can probably see. :)

I am curious to see how Cestrum Orange Peel's scent changes through the seasons. So far the scent is light so I'm not recommending the plant for all those scent lovers out there. ;)
I do have a gripe about the plant and that is if you brush up against the leaves trying to reach the flowers the leaves have an unpleasant odor which is hard to describe so just wanted to warn everyone.
I will say that Orange Pee is a blooming machine! It kept blooming even under the low light conditions in our basement this winter.

-Robert

Dear Robert,

Your knowledge of fragrant plants is extensive.
I look forward to reading your comments.
Vanilla with spicy undertones for Aglaia? I think Roy Genders must have simply heard it described that way at a cocktail party, and repeated it because it sounded good!I would love to smell a plant like that if they do exist though, because it does sound wonderful. Clean, sparkling and lemon scented are much more inline with my experience of Chinese perfume plant, but shouldn't we start a thread for it too?

Yes, I do know what you mean about brushing up against Cestrum 'Orange Peel'. It is a distinct nightshade scent, found even in tomato foliage, but in cestrums, without the green note, and stronger. It is funny that you should mention the smell of the foliage. I noticed it in particular in this cultivar myself. I think its nightshade odor is strong in itself, but because the leaves are softer than, say Cestrum Nocturnum, it is more easily expressed. And of course, if you are nosing around the flower trying to write a description up for the fragrant forum, this is something you will likely do! You may get a stronger wiff of the foliage this way than the appealing flowers. Perhaps, we should simpy stand back, and allow Cestrum 'Orange Peel' to offer up its fragrance in due time

Best wishes,
Sincerely,
Matt

My huge Aglaia odorata bush has been blooming for three weeks now, the longest stretch ever. Even with the downpours of the past few days, the lovely scent is wafting.

I, too, had trouble describing its scent until one day I was absentmindedly rolling and warming an organic lemon in my hands, and then I uncupped my hands and took a good whiff - it's like uncut lemon peel, with a floral note.

I'm just starting to grow out the orange cestrum from peppers, it's all leaf now, about 9" tall, so I'm waiting....hope it performs.

Now, the lemon cestrum - I can't find it at nurseries when I google online. Any leads?

Thanks in advance,
Anya

Cestrum 'Orange Peel' has proven quite hardy!
I did not mulch it over this brutal winter and the top died however it's coming up from the roots!

-Robert

Congrats Robert. Very interesting thread btw. Maybe as Matt say, this year being in ground Orange Peel might wow you :-)

Thank you for sharing it with the world! :)

My pleasure. Truly.