Crimson Cestrum

Crimson Cestrum Overview

Cestrum elegans is a vigorous, tropical-looking, evergreen shrub with arching branches and mid-green leaves. Its flowers are purple-red, star-shaped, and appear generously on panicles in summer. Each one is a slender tube, very fragrant and popular with butterflies! Flowers are followed by purple-red fruits. Originating from Mexico and the USA - and also known as Purple or Red Cestrum - it produces plenty of blooms, especially if regularly dead-headed. Best trained against a sunny wall or trellis. Best grown in part shade, Cestrum elegans is a popular conservatory plant, where it can flower all year round (but make sure you provide good ventilation). It is tender, so can only be grown outdoors in winter, in warmer climates. It likes well-drained soil. Regular pruning is not needed, but it can be lightly trimmed to shape in spring.

How to propagate Crimson Cestrum

Seed

Cuttings

By softwood cuttings in summer.

Special features of Crimson Cestrum

Attractive flowers

Attractive fruits

Attracts butterflies

Autumn colour

Winter colour

Pot plant