Friday, August 27, 2010

Cestrum aurantiacum (Yellow Cestrum)

Cestrum aurantiacum is one of the hardiest species in the genus (USDA Zones 8-11).
The plant can be grown as a large shrub, or small multi-trunk tree up to 10 foot in height.
The tubular, yellow flowers only develop a very faint citrus scent after dark, so I don't classify this one as a fragrant plant.  This species also doesn't cycle in and out of flower like many other Cestrums.  Flowering is non-stop nearly all year long at the tips of the branches.
Cestrum aurantiacum blooms best in full sun to part shade.  The blooms attract butterflies, particularly Gulf Fritillaries and Giant Swallowtails.
It's odd that this plant is so hard to find in cultivation.  The fact that it is cold-hardy, attracts butterflies, and blooms all year would seem to make it a near-perfect plant!

6 comments:

catharine Howard said...

Dear Jim ANOTHER stunning plant!

NanaK said...

Oh I agree, this sounds like a nearly perfect plant. If it had fragrance too, well, that would be perfect! I'm going to have to look into these cestrums. I've not been familiar with them.

Susan said...

And, it's pretty, too. Sounds near perfect for me. Any ideas where I can find one of these?

Steve Asbell said...

This one is more appealing to me than the other cestrums, and the lack of scent is fine by me. The blooms appear to be custom made for butterflies, and the yellow color is prettier too!

I really like how you group profiles by plant type.

p3chandan said...

Nicer colour than the other cestrums but too bad for the lack of sweet fragrance.

Anonymous said...

Susan,

I was out at Crowleys Nursery yesterday and they have them there. They're about 4 miles East of 75. They have all kinds of stuff, including these.