Cestrum aurantiacum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SES-trum aw-ran-ty-IH-kum
- Description
-
Orange Cestrum is a tropical shrub or vine native to North and South America. In its native habitat it may reach 15 feet tall but in cooler climates where it freezes back to the ground, it will grow to a height and width of about 5 feet. The top of the plant is hardy to zone 8 but it is root hardy to zone 7 making it a good option in many southern gardens. In the late spring through early fall it is covered with large tubular orange flowers.
Plant it in the full sun though it does well with some afternoon shade, in average well-drained soil. When the plant dies back in the fall cut the stems back and apply mulch to protect the crown.
It espaliers well, is deer resistant, and is a great plant for Xeriscape gardens as it is quite drought tolerant. Plant it in the back of a border, in a nighttime garden near a patio so you can enjoy the sweet-spicy citrus fragrance of the flowers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Greystone Gold'
hybrid from NC's Norman Beal - 'Orange Peel'
Hybrid - 'Orange Zest'
Long bloom, orange flowers
- 'Greystone Gold'
- 'Greystone Gold', 'Orange Peel', 'Orange Zest'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Greystone Gold'
hybrid from NC's Norman Beal - 'Orange Peel'
Hybrid - 'Orange Zest'
Long bloom, orange flowers
- 'Greystone Gold'
- 'Greystone Gold', 'Orange Peel', 'Orange Zest'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cestrum
- Species:
- aurantiacum
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Gray/white berries appear in summer but are unusual in non-tropical climates.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Late spring or summer, 4 in. clusters of brilliant orange or yellow tubular or trumpet 5 petaled 1 in. long flowers. The blooms are night-scented, having a citrus aroma.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval to lance shaped entire margin shiny light green leaves up to 6 in. long. When crushed leaves are said to smell like wet dog.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
