Night blooming jasmine, or Cestrum nocturnum, is a shrub that features glossy dark-green foliage and fragrant white flower clusters. This low-maintenance plant grows 4 to 6 feet wide (approximately 1.2 to 1.8 m), and as tall as 12 feet (approximately 3.6 m). The plant usually debuts during the spring season and it thrives best in summer-like weather conditions. Some gardeners prefer to accent their gardens and landscapes by planting this popular jasmine.
The Cestrum nocturnum plant goes by several names and originates from tropical environments as part of the Solanaceae family of plants, herbs, and trees. Latin for the nightshade family, the Solanaceae group comprises more than 2,000 plant species in addition to the night blooming jasmine as of 2011. Besides flowering fragrant plants like the petunia, the jasmine is also related to agricultural plants such as the potato and the tomatillo. The night blooming jasmine and other plants in the family grow in mostly tropical places such as the West Indies, as well as locations that reside in USDA zones 8 through 11, where temperatures range anywhere from 10° Fahrenheit (approximately -9.5° Celsius) to higher than 40° Fahrenheit (above 4.5° Celsius). Other names for this nightshade relative include night jessamine, night-blooming cestrum, and. because it’s a late bloomer, the jasmine is sometimes known as Queen of the Night or Lady of the Night.
Careful cultivation helps the night blooming jasmine develop its glossy evergreen leaves and stems, as well as its perfume-scented petals. Propagation methods begin during the spring season with fertilization, and gardeners can use the plant’s cuttings to get started. Light, sandy soils bode well for planting jasmine, as well as bright sunlight for nourishment. Night blooming jasmine also thrives in moist, but not waterlogged, soil. During any given warm summer evening, the bright white blossoms of the cestrum plant add light to a garden and emit a strong perfumed scent.
The features of the night blooming jasmine can sometimes add beauty to most settings, or it can stand alone. The perennial also provides a food source for caterpillars when planted in butterfly gardens. Besides backyard or garden landscapes, the jasmine can be planted as a border or in the background with other flowers. Little maintenance is required of the night blooming jasmine, as it only needs protection from early morning frost and the leaves need occasional trimming.