Perfumed plant - HELP

[Bob]

Hi all,

Got back from our third visit to Icmeler (Pinewood Apartments) in early October...and had a lovely time, as usual

My question to all you knowledgable people is this (especially anyone living in Icmeler!)...

We noticed a very beautiful perfumed smell at many restaurants in the evenings (not during the day) and we were told that it was a plant named 'Melissa'.

I'm determined to try and get this to grow in England (North) but when looking for seeds or plants I discovered that 'Melissa' is know here as 'Lemon Balm'.

Lemon balm it definitely was NOT....can anyone help identify this plant (it may be a particular variant of lemon balm or 'melissa' in Icmeler)

Many thanks if you can help.

Looking forward to next year!

Bob

[Lynn m]

Hi Bob

Could it have been Jasmine you were smelling it has a small white/yellowy flower I've seen that in lots of places around Icmeler

[Zog]

We always assumed that it was Jasmine, we have experienced it in several Med countries and it does have a wonderful night time fragrance.

[JT]

It was definitely Jasmine as it was really strong in Icmeler at the start of October as the breeze changed it would waft down from the village

[redrhino12]

I have a lot of pictures in my mind of Icmeler.
But the smell of Icmeler has got to be Jasmine, "sweet sultry and sensual".

It also smells ok.

Gene

[Bob]

Many thanks for the replies everybody.

I was sure it couldn't be lemon balm or 'melissa' (the scent is perfumey not at all citrus).

Now all I have to do is find which type of Jasmine it actually is (I'm familiar with Jasmine but never experienced it like this before)...it doesn't give off this scent until about late September/ early October and only in the evenings (we've been in late August and missed it!).

Good excuse for another 'field' visit next year?

Again, many thanks for your help....if anyone knows what type of Jasmine??....

Bob

[redrhino12]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasmine

Try this link,it gives a lot of info.

Gene

[sharnig]

Oh! WOW. Now I get to be the big-head, first time ever!!
I had the same problem 2 yrs. ago in Icmeler. I belong to several gardening sites. This is NOT a Jasmine, it's a Cestrum. The latin name is Cestrum Nocturnum. I've got several cuttings (taken this year and all doing fine). If you "google" the latin name you'll get several places in the U.K. that sell it. It's not hardy, it takes a lot of "fussing" but I'm going to grow it as an indoor plant. A lady on a gardening site, who lives in Portugal, said that she had a lot of trouble giving it enough heat for it to flower properly. So, if you take it on, you'll have to treat it like an indoor Hibiscus. If you're serious about it P.M. me and I'll give you some sites that will help

[JT]

Not sure if the cestrum one is correct as I don't remember seeing that in abundance in Icmeler and also too many and too much smell coming down from the mountains and village for it to be a plant that needs careful tending

[redrhino12]

This was connected to the link I gave ealier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cestrum_nocturnum

Gene

[sharnig]

Hi, redrhino. It doesn't need any attention in Turkey, just if you want to grow it in colder climates

[Christabel]

Cestrum is definitely grown in Turunc. It has a wonderful smell in the evening, similar to Jasmine but in my opinion nicer. Our friend Mehmet gave us a bunch to put in our apartment. No smell during the day but wow as soon as the sun goes down you start to smell it. Better than any air freshener

Just read from Gene's link that all parts of the plant are highly poisonous so perhaps will stick to air feshener after all

Christabel

[sharnig]

I think the confusion arises from the fact that it is, commonly, called the "Night-scented Jessamine". (Lady of the Night". It's still a Cestrum (trust me guys )
Still, that's probably enough of that nonsense, get back to what's really important, like where's the cheapest Efes