Asimina reticulata

A medium size shrub up to 5-6 ft tall with succulent-looking narrow leaves and delicately fragrant creme flowers attracting bees, butterflies and other incects. Fragrance is honey-like. Flowers are 2-3" wide and have unusual shape. Pawpaw flowers are strange, nodding structures; the netted pawpaw has one of the prettier blooms. The flower is trimerous. The stamens are tightly packed forming a solid hemisphere of anthers surrounding the receptacle. Three or more stigmas emerge from the center of the anthers. The flowers are ready for pollination before the anthers shed their pollen. This ensures that the flowers are cross-pollinated; pollen must come from an older flower, preferably on a different plant. This species can be found in dry areas that get swampy for a few months during rainy summer season. Blooms in spring. Unlike other members of the Annonaceae, the pawpaws are found outside of the tropics.

Asimina triloba

Deciduous tree growing to about 30 feet, with large drooping leaves and curious flowers of disagreeable odor opening in the spring before the leaves. The fruit is 3"-5" long and is almost black when ripe, with a highly aromatic flavor. The fruit tastes like mix of papaya and banana and is often called an Indian banana. The name pawpaw comes from the Arawakan Indian name for the papaya. Grows as far north as New York and southern Ontario, out west as far as Nebraska and Texas, and south to Florida. The young plant is very sensitive to full sunlight and requires filtered sun for the first year or two. The use of tree shelters is an ideal solution to the problem, permitting the plant to receive a full day of filtered sunlight. Once established, pawpaws prefer full sun. The large dangling leaves dislike strong winds. Pawpaws do best in deep, fertile soil that is moist, but well-drained and slightly acid (pH 5-7).

Cananga fruticosa, Cananga odorata var. Fruticosa, Cananga kirkii

This dwarf variety of famous Ylang-Ylang is small tree or compact shrub with hightly scented yellowish flowers. Fragrance is similar to Cananga odorata and the flowers also are used in perfumery. This plant is extremely valuable because of its compact nature. A bushy specimen, Cananga Fruticosa is a wonderful exotic plant that adds a sensual touch to any small garden or patio. Blooms very profusely during spring and summer months, but also might bloom on and off year round.

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Cananga odorata, Unona odoratissima

This is an evergreen tree, around 30 to 45Ft in height, with gracefully drooping branches. It is often grown in the gardens of Southeast Asia because of its yellow-green, highly fragrant, drooping flowers, which appear almost continuously on the leafy twigs. Though not striking from a distance, green when they first appear and becoming yellow with maturity, these are very fragrant and are used as offering or to scent a room. Fragrance embraces the yard for many yards around. The flower itself though not standing out among green leaves from the distance, still looks very stylish and reminds an elegant accessory for a luxurious brand name evening dress in addition to it's wonderful fragrance. No wonder the flowers are used for production of Chanel#5 perfume. There is also a smaller form of this plant - Cananga odorata var. fruticosa that grows into a dense shrub about 9ft in height. Cananga does best in full sun but will grow in light shade. Propagation is by seeds, more difficult by cuttings. Very fast growing.

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Cleistopholis glauca

Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum, Dasymaschalon blumei, Desmos dasymaschalus

Small tree or large shrub. Highly perfumed flowers of this representative of Annonaceae family are inconspicuous and pale yellow, hanging from multiple branches. From distance, one can think those are yellow leaves - they have the shape of a elongated leaf. Fragrance is very strong and resembles one of Ylang-Ylang.

Desmos chinensis

This is a spreading shrub that likes shady places and may develop into a higher climber. The flowers open between April and July. Young flowers are green and inconspicuous. Only mature yellow flowers have strong lemon-like fruity scent can be detected at a distance, especially during the evenings. When the flower fades, the petals turn to rusty-red and then drop. Desmos chinensis is a better choice for those with limited space.

Desmos cochinchinensis

This is a spreading shrub that likes shady places and may develop into a higher climber. The flowers open between April and July. Young flowers are green and inconspicuous. Only mature yellow flowers have strong lemon-like fruity scent can be detected at a distance, especially during the evenings. When the flower fades, the petals turn to rusty-red and then drop. Desmos cochinchinensis as a folk medicine is used for treatment of malaria in China.

Desmos filipes

Very rare representative of Annona family, desmos filipes has similar growth habit to desmos chinensis, as well as highly perfumed yellow flowers with long petals. It needs filtered light, otherwise leaves might get burned. Rare specimen plant for container culture. Likes acidic soil and constant warmth.

Desmos praecox

Not everybody can grow Cananga odorata, Ylang-Ylang Tree. It is fast growing and can get pretty big. You need to have room to grow it. With the Desmo, a small relative you get that intense fragrance but in a plant that can be kept around 3 to 4ft. It is a better choice for those with limited space. And for those in cold areas that will need to protect tropical plants in the winter and otherwise would have a hard time growing the full size Ylang-Ylang. Flowering - warmer months of the year. Growth: moderate; light: filtered light; watering: average; min.temp.: low 30C