Cestrum aurantiacum, Cestrum chaculanum, Cestrum paucinervium
Family: Solanaceae
Yellow Cestrum
Origin: Costa Rica to Guatemala
large shrub 5-10 ft, small shrub 2-5 ft, full sun, semi-shade,
regular water, yellow/orange flowers, irritating, attracts
butterflies, hummingbirds.
Yellow Cestrum. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The bright
yellow flowers in late spring-early summer are followed by white
berries. It often starts blooming again in the fall.
I gave it the name Mango Cestrum because.. well.. it reminds me of
mango pulp! Cestrum aurantiacum lights up the garden with tons of
happy, little orange flowers! This hard-to-find Guatemalan beauty is
easy to grow, and it can bloom nearly all year. You'll want to show
off this upbeat plant right where everyone can see it - including
the hummingbirds!
The Mango Cestrum is an evergreen perennial bush or small tree.
Here in San Francisco, it grows 15 feet tall or more. You can prune
it to any size you wish. It grows well in a container, and can even
be grown as a bonsai plant! Even without flowers it is a very
attractive plant, with lush, bright green foliage with a satiny
sheen. The inch long, trumpet-shaped blooms appear throughout much
of the year. A yellower form of this species exists, however this
form is more orange. The petals open with a star-shaped formation,
and then roll back, giving the blooms a rounder shape. After
flowering, large, snow-white berries appear as an added bonus!
Mango Cestrum
The Mango Cestrum is said to tolerate temperatures down to 25-30°
F (-3°C), although it grows best when protected from frost. Despite
coming from a mild climate, it is known to grow in warmer areas like
Florida and Texas. It can flower in a variety of lighting
conditions, from part sun to full sun. Some shade from strong
afternoon sun might be needed in hotter conditions. It grows best in
well-draining soil, with regular watering and feeding. It grows well
indoors in a pot, where it can bloom year-round! This is a
non-invasive species. |
