Botanical name: Cananga odorata

Description: The flowers of the ylang-ylang (ee-lang ee-lang) are strange looking, with six greenish-yellow petals hanging limp or curled. They develop as little green buttons along the twigs. But their perfume, not their looks, is their most delectable and desirable quality. Sometimes called the perfume tree, ylang-ylang produces a volatile oil in the flowers that is distilled and used in Chanel No. 5 and other perfumes throughout the world.

In Madagascar, plantations of the trees are grown for the perfume industry. The trees are coppiced at about eight feet to encourage low side branching so flowers can be harvested readily. The tree naturally produces pendant branches and the alternate leaves are large and soft.

Height: to 60 feet

Light: full sun

Culture: Ylang-ylangs like moist but well-drained soils, so use mulch to mediate soil moisture. Fertilize twice yearly, using the controlled-release palm special. Since the tree is tall and brittle, plant away from the house, or keep well shaped with pruning.