Reading novels where ladies of the 1930s pinned gardenia corsages to their lampshades after returning from a night of dancing, gave me a longtime wish to see and smell the beautiful gardenia.
A friend took my request to a florist. The florist informed the friend that gardenias, because they are so difficult to grow, are very expensive. But he agreed to let us know if and when any gardenias came his way. When my wish was finally walked through my front door, it was a single gardenia in a typical florist’s corsage box, tucked into dark green silk leaves. It cost $30, and the florist gave ample warning that my gardenia wouldn’t last long. But it lasted for days, perfuming the air with its exquisite perfume.