Regions: North India

The small-flowered jasmine of the monsoon, sweeter at dusk than at noon.

The Spanish jasmine of the perfume trade, grown widely in the north and west.

Green by day and overpowering by night; plant it away from a bedroom window.

Drops its scented white flowers at dawn — the harsingar of temple courtyards.

Grows from a bare cutting pushed into dry soil; scents a whole terrace.

Flowers through the hottest months on almost no water. Every part is poisonous.

Thrives on being ignored — the more you neglect it, the harder it flowers.

Regrows from the root end of a shop-bought bunch — the cheapest crop there is.

Plant single cloves in October and lift whole bulbs in March.

Jowar — drought-hardy grain and fodder in one, on almost no inputs.