Other Names:  Jessamine

Description:

This stunning evergreen shrub produces showy masses of crimson tubular flowers over a long period followed by interesting red berries; plant in sheltered area of the garden or along borders; may resprout from roots after a hard freeze;

Ornamental Features

Red Cestrum features showy clusters of crimson tubular flowers at the ends of the branches from early spring to late winter. Its pointy leaves emerge green in spring, turning bluish-green in colour the rest of the year.

Landscape Attributes

Red Cestrum is a dense multi-stemmed annual with a shapely form and gracefully arching foliage. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Red Cestrum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Red Cestrum will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.