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Cestrum purpureum

Cestrum purpureum
NIght-scented jasmine

5,0/5
1 reviews
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Very beautiful plant when it flowers (often multiple times in a year). But at my place, contrary to what I read everywhere, it surpasses 4m (13ft) in height if I don't prune it, and it can withstand -10°C (14°F) if the frost doesn't last too long. This in 2 types of soil: sandy and clayey. Propagation by cuttings is extremely easy, which can be done on site!

Dominique, 29/10/2022

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More information

Beautiful bush with an arched habit that offers clusters of small tubular flowers in a deep red-purple colour, very decorative, which open in successive waves on its large dark green leaves. The cultivation of the purple Cestrum is to be favoured in protected gardens of the South, as it is a frost-sensitive young plant that loves warmth.
Flower size
10 cm
Height at maturity
3 m
Spread at maturity
1.80 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -6°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time April
Recommended planting time March to June
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Flowering time June to October
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Description

Cestrum purpureum, also known as Cestrum elegans, Purple Cestrum or Elegant Cestrum, is a bush with a beautiful slightly arched habit, interesting for its endless brilliant flowering, in clusters of small tubular flowers of a beautiful purple-red colour. They bloom in successive waves between the end of spring and the end of autumn, perfectly highlighted by dark green foliage. Originally from Mexico, this bush loves warmth and fears frost. Outside the mildest regions, it is grown in a pot that will be overwintered like a citrus plant.

 

Cestrum elegans or purpureum belongs to the Solanaceae family, just like Solanums and tomatoes. It is a bush native to eastern Mexico and the border states, whose foliage theoretically persists in winter. The above-ground vegetation is destroyed at 0°C (32 °F), but the stump is capable of regrowth after a brief freeze of around -5°C, or even more in a protected situation. The plant initially has an upright habit, then becomes more flexible and moderately open, supported by slightly arched stems. With rapid growth, the elegant cestrum reaches about 3m (9ft 10in) in height and 1.80m (5ft 11in) in spread in open ground, but remains more modest in size when grown in a pot. The alternate leaves are simple, narrow, lanceolate, glabrous, and have a matte dark green colour on the upper side, lighter and fuzzy underneath. They measure between 5 and 12cm (2 and 4.7in). Flowering generally begins in June, earlier or later depending on the climate and growing conditions. It will continue until the end of October if faded flowers are removed. The flowers are grouped in terminal clusters and in the axils of the leaves. The clusters are slightly trailing and measure about 10cm (3.9in) long. Each flower, dark red in colour, has the shape of a small tube that opens into a star at its tip. After pollination, small round berries form, which turn red when ripe. They are sought after by some birds.

 

Cestrum purpureum is capable of flowering almost all year round if the plant is sheltered from frost in winter in a very bright conservatory, making it an excellent orangery plant. In addition to its ornamental qualities, it is a low-demanding bush in terms of soil, as long as it is fertile and not too dry. In a garden on the Mediterranean or South Atlantic coast, this beautiful plant will go well with the Cape Leadwort, the Tarentina Myrtle, an Oleander or an Indian Lilac, for example.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m
Spread at maturity 1.80 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour red
Flowering time June to October
Flower size 10 cm
Flowering description Clustered, tubular.
Fruit colour red

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour dark green
Foliage description Evergreen in a protected environment, otherwise deciduous.

Botanical data

Genus

Cestrum

Species

purpureum

Family

Solanaceae

Other common names

NIght-scented jasmine

Origin

North America

Product reference846231

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Planting and care

Cestrum elegans is preferably planted in spring, in full sun or partial shade.  It adapts to any ordinary, but well-drained, moist, fertile and organic-rich soil. Once established, the bush can withstand temporary droughts, but it is preferable to water it regularly in summer to promote growth and flowering. Cestrum does not suffer from any specific disease or parasite. However, the appearance of red spiders and whiteflies should be monitored on plants grown indoors or in a greenhouse. The above-ground vegetation is destroyed when it freezes at 0 °C. But the stump can sprout again in spring after a short freeze of about -5 °C. Well protected under a thick mulch, this stump sometimes proves even hardier, but in a rather dry soil during winter. Prune if necessary in late winter. Pruning every 4-5 years helps maintain a more bushy habit.

Planting period

Best planting time April
Recommended planting time March to June

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Container
Hardiness Hardy down to -6°C (USDA zone 9a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, ordinary, well-prepared

Care

Pruning instructions Prune the faded flowers regularly. You can also prune the young plant before overwintering it, in October, to limit its growth. In open ground: prune it back in late winter or spring.
Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs to be stored
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