The Influence of Gardenias
They are the creamy conjurers of memory, summoning lazy walks in white linen dresses beneath trees hung heavy with moss. They call forth the night gardens of childhood, all dark velvet and sprinkled with the winking orange of fireflies. They lead back to the sound of cicadas, nature’s discordant orchestra, on hot evenings in June. Their fragrance, sweeter than the other flowers, so sweet it is almost gothic, fills the room, floods the senses and brings with it the extravagance of dreams. They are imbued with mystery, they are beautiful, they are the most enchanting of all the summer flowers.
They are Gardenias.
I have kept bowls of Gardenias on my bedside table all this week and my dreams have echoed the influence of their sorcery.
If you wish to escape to air castles far above the clouds or visit empyrean forests made of moonbeams and sand, then sleep with Gardenias beside your bed. If you desire to remember who you once were or to observe your future self, clad in feathers and white roses in a weathered cottage by the sea, then sleep with Gardenias beside your bed. If you have ever wondered how it would feel to follow a silver bear down a pathway of emeralds, or converse with a impeccably dressed tiger on a rooftop in Greece; if you want to know where the butterflies go when the wind is high...then by all means, sleep with Gardenias beside your bed.
Cut Gardenias only last a couple of days so their effect will be limited, which is probably best.
If they lasted any longer one might be tempted to live in one’s dreams.
They are the creamy conjurers of memory, summoning lazy walks in white linen dresses beneath trees hung heavy with moss. They call forth the night gardens of childhood, all dark velvet and sprinkled with the winking orange of fireflies. They lead back to the sound of cicadas, nature’s discordant orchestra, on hot evenings in June. Their fragrance, sweeter than the other flowers, so sweet it is almost gothic, fills the room, floods the senses and brings with it the extravagance of dreams. They are imbued with mystery, they are beautiful, they are the most enchanting of all the summer flowers.
They are Gardenias.
I have kept bowls of Gardenias on my bedside table all this week and my dreams have echoed the influence of their sorcery.
If you wish to escape to air castles far above the clouds or visit empyrean forests made of moonbeams and sand, then sleep with Gardenias beside your bed. If you desire to remember who you once were or to observe your future self, clad in feathers and white roses in a weathered cottage by the sea, then sleep with Gardenias beside your bed. If you have ever wondered how it would feel to follow a silver bear down a pathway of emeralds, or converse with a impeccably dressed tiger on a rooftop in Greece; if you want to know where the butterflies go when the wind is high...then by all means, sleep with Gardenias beside your bed.
Cut Gardenias only last a couple of days so their effect will be limited, which is probably best.
If they lasted any longer one might be tempted to live in one’s dreams.
Yes, I could be tempted to live in my dreams...and gardenias are just that - dreamy.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
my dad's favorite flower.
ReplyDeleteloved the post
x
omg! my whole chocolate stash for gardenias beside my bed! sigh )
ReplyDeleteThank you Dear Pamela, I desperately needed cheering today and now the thoght of the one mid-winter bud on my potted gardenia gives me hope of escape from reality for a little while when it decides to open.
ReplyDeleteGardenias were my Mother's favorite flower and she always kept a vase of them in our home...that scent evokes so many memories of growing up...
ReplyDeleteBetty
Gardenias...I miss them. It is too hot here to grow them successfully and there are other beauties but you are so right Pamela, they are dreamy...xv
ReplyDeleteHow I LOVE gardenias. I must try sleeping beside a bowl. You've made me curious!
ReplyDeleteHello P&E,
ReplyDeleteSuch a heady fragrance. Real intoxication!
I love the beautiful castle...I would like to live in my dreams for at least part of every day!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in very southern Oklahoma and my neighbor, an incurable romantic, would plant gardenias in her "special" place under her bedroom window. Sometimes they would not survive the winter. She planted again and again. She died before she turned 40. The memory of this wonderful, wacky woman and gardenias are forever interwoven. Happy solstice.
ReplyDeleteWow, Pamela - that was a gorgeous piece of writing. So evocative. I've never been lucky enough to have gardenias in my garden - my mum bought me a small plant once, but alas it never flowered - now I feel I just have to have one. Will definitely have to try sleeping with one beside my pillow.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful prose Pamela - I don't think I have ever seen a gardenia but I sure would like to have one here right now.
ReplyDeleteI have a gardenia in a pot on the patio that I kept in the garage over the winter. Amazingly enough, it has several blooms on it right now. That was a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteWow!! What a powerful piece of writing...shivers up the spine stuff!! I agree that Gardenias are a beautiful flower unfortunately for me they are the only flower that makes me sneeze!! Maybe I can have some night scented stock by my bed and see what dreams that eveokes.. xxx.
ReplyDeletePamela I don't know the smell of Gardenia's - they must be a southern plant as gardeners don't grow them here. Your post usual beautiful and evocative. You my dear are well aware of all the good things that life has to offer and you describe them all so well. Happy Weekend and wishes of cooling breezes to handsome Edward and Miss Apple.
ReplyDeletexo S & les Gang
Would love to know more about your knitting passion
You write so beautifully hon!! I adore gardenias - the smell is just delicious!! My Mama loved them too!
ReplyDeleteSarah
What a wonderful, wistful post. It feels like a soothing balm to my hectic week, and I've missed reading your lovely words.
ReplyDeleteI'm taking some well earned time out to catch up with blog friends, and I may even indulge in the purchase of gardenias :)
Kim x
Gardenias .... ahhh .... just the thought of this delicious flower evokes perfect summer nights. Leigh
ReplyDeleteI love gardenias.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful and unique blog, it has been a pleasure to visit. Thank you for visiting mine and have a happy weekend!
oh my i feel a need to go a hunting gardenias to place beside my own pillow for i have a yearning now to discover that magical place where such things as silver bears & dressed tigers can be peeped at. beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm off to find some gardenias!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful mysterious castle....did you paint it, Pamela?
Ode to Gardenias was beautiful and lovely to read. So enjoy your blog!
ReplyDeleteI once had a man give me a gardenia. You know, I can still smell that bloom. And see his face when he gave it to me.
ReplyDeleteI've just read this listening to "Unforgetable" by Nat King Cole. Your words and the song just flowed together so well in a dreamy sort of way.
ReplyDeleteRoses and feathers how fab in the moonlight. I thihk I could enjoy a dream like that.
lovely descriptions, now to find me some gardenias...
ReplyDeleteOh if only we could enjoy gardenias all the year long. They are heavenly and now I will think of them as dreamy too. Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteJust found your wonderful, creative blog. If you need a quick fix of the Scottish Highlands, visit mine where you'll find lots of photos of my highland pony amid Scottish scenery!
ReplyDeleteLove Edward too!
That's my favorite scent. I think it's time to invest in a gardenia plant by the bed. Chanel makes a pure gardenia perfume but you can only get it in the ny boutique. YUM!
ReplyDeleteThank you foe visiting my blog and your lovely comments!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written (as usual). Gardenias are so fragile but their scent is intoxicating. You were wise to float them. And the bloom with it's silky, creamy texture ...perfect !
ReplyDelete