new thread
Hey John,
Somewhere waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down this page you replied to a thread of mine with a question about Swing dancing. As I remember, you asked me if I danced Jive...
No, I've never taken a class in how to dance Jive, --- although in US Ballroom competitions, I've certainly seen it danced by the competitors.
Here in No. America, there's a bit of a disagreement / dislike between hardcore Swing dancers and the people who are into more of a formal Ballroom style of dancing to the same music. In the hardcore Swing dance world, there are many forms of Swing dancing: East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing (my favorite), Lindy (the great grandfather of all Swing dancing, which started in Harlem, NYC), Carolina Shag, Texas Push, Imperial Swing... and more!
I'd bet anything than in the UK you have a similar situation, --- in that, just like in the US, there are probably "club-style" Swing dancers, and then there are also "Ballroom Swing" dancers. Neither group tends to like the other one's styling; but it's entertaining to hear the nasty comments back and forth, regardless (lol)!!
As for me, although I've taken plenty of Ballroom dance classes, when it comes to Swing dancing, i DEFINITELY prefer the "club-style"... As one of my favorite Swing dance teaches once put it: "Swing dancing should have an earthy, even 'down & dirty', quality to it, --- more of a sultry bar room dance, than that of a formal Ballroom one!"
I hope that answers your question!
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you; but the last 2 weeks at work have been looooooong and relentless!!!
Now, if only I could remember who it was that wanted me to rattle off plant names for his Florida garden (I guess he doesn't realize that Northern California and South Florida are 2 entirely different climates!!)...
- Ken
I just thought it was OK to ask you since you are in the landscaping buisness and know about plants. Plus! You have a garden. It was my moms garden by the way. I just wanted a Recommendation on fragrant plants from someone whos knows So i figured i'd ask you. I understand that you live in a different state and that the climate is different. If i remember correctly , I asked which fragrant plants are suitable for florida weather..... Florida weather is extremely humid and hot by the way. Well , Sorry if i upset you in anyway because it was certainly not my intention.
have a great day.
Last time I went to Florida I was a kid... I remember Florida was almost like Taiwan when it comes to weather... hot and humid. It doesnt get too cold in the winter either, cause I remember liking Florida cause we went there during the winter which wasnt too cold. I think hot and humid is actually good for growing alot of interesting plants since there are a lot of interesting fruit bearing trees native to Taiwan...
Hi Chris,
Actually, i DON'T have a garden, --- I *work* in gardens (OTHER people's gardens - lol)!! But, no worries, I'm happy to share what I know...
You didn't upset me in the least; I just don't happen to know what plants do well in Florida's climate (which is VERY different from No. California's Mediterranean-type climate), --- although I bet I might know a few that grow well in FLA that also grow here!
Rather than me "guarantee" that any of my suggestions would do well in your state, what i can do is rattle off my favorite fragrant plants that I like to grow and see in San Francisco. You'll need to check with your local nursery professionals to find out if these are recommended for your FLA climate. And you'll need to check with your local Rose Society to see if the fragrant roses I recommend also do well in your state. But, with that in mind, here are a few favorite fragrant plants that I couldn't live without here in No. California...
1) Daphne Odora (AKA "Winter Daphne"), --- a fragrance to die for! The plant, though, can be rather tempermental.
2) Brugmansia "Charles Grimaldi" (AKA "Angel's Trumpet"). --- huge, upside-down hanging flowers that are fragrant at night (but attract bats). "Charles Grimaldi" is my favorite variety, because of it's nice amber color.
3) Clematis armandii (AKA "the evergreen Clematis"), --- a HUGE vine (so decide carefully if you really have the space to plant it!). Flowers only last about a month; but a killer dragrance, none the less.
4) Wisteria (many varieties; but the Chinese varieties as I recall have the most delicious fruity fragrance), --- a very slo-o-o-o-ow growing vine, though (and probably won't do well in Florida).
5) Jasmine (both the well-known "Star Jasmine" and also "Pink Polyanthum")... Be careful of the "Pink Polyanthum, thought --- it sends out TONS of runners along the ground (and can take over your mom's garden in no time)!
6) Lavender - which probably will NOT do well in Florida, since lavenders in general like very dry conditions. But, maybe one variety might work there: Lavendula dentata (AKA "French Lavender"). It can take the mildest winters, --- and is VERY fragrant!
7) A few of my favorite fragrant roses (I have too many to list; but here are my top 5):
- "Royal Sunset" (an apricot-colored climber with great fruity fragrance)
- "Abraham Darby" (a coppery-pink English rose with HUGE fluffy blooms)
- "Golden Celebration" - another English rose hybridized by David Austin that in every way is hands-down AWESOME!!
- "Tamora" - a soft orange-colored little English rose with a fragrance of myhrr
- "Gertrude Jekyll" - if you don't mind its bubble-gum pink color, this rose has my favorite fragrance of all!!
Hope this helps your mom out, Chris!
- Ken in San Francisco
Thanks alot for the very descriptive list you provided! I really appreciate it. I am printing this right now and handing it to my mother. I am certain she will love the list you provided. Well , For now , All she has in her garden is a "Dracaena fragrans" plant wich has not started blooming yet and a few "Gardenias ". Well , Ken , Thanks again!
Chris
Hi Ken,
Yes you are right there are different styles of jive here as well and alot of difference between the ballroom crowd and the rockabillies as well.
Remember all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
Cheers,
John.B
Hi John,
I like the name "rockabillies". If I lived in the UK, I'd bet I'd become one of them!
And as far as "all work and no play" goes... yes, I'm afaraid I've become a VERY "dull boy" recently. But, I've got bills to pay... lots and lots of 'em... and then some!
- Ken