James Burghardt
Family
Solanaceae
Botanical Name
Brunfelsia australis
Plant Common Name
Paraguay Jasmine, Yesterday Today and Tomorrow
General Description
The charming flowers of this broadleaf evergreen shrub provide color and fragrance over a long season. Native to southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay, it bears violet-blue, white-eyed blossoms in few-flowered clusters from early spring into fall. The sweetly scented blooms last several days, fading to lavender and white as they age. Spherical, brownish-green, berry-like fruits sometimes follow the flowers. The lush, dark green, oval leaves are normally evergreen but may drop after frost. A medium to large shrub in tropical gardens, this densely branched plant grows less exuberantly in containers and in the cooler parts of its hardiness range.
Plant this tender shrub in rich, well-drained, non-alkaline soil and full sun to light shade. Keep the soil slightly drier in winter. It will survive a few degrees of frost, but may suffer leaf and stem damage. Prune lightly in spring or summer. The lowest limbs can be removed to reveal the multi-stemmed base. Paraguay jasmine works well in the rear of a mixed border, at the base of a cluster of tall palms, or in a large container. Place it where its beautiful, fragrant flowers can be easily seen and smelled.
Note: this plant is associated with possible health issues; see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2090266.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
4'-12' / 1.2m - 3.7m
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Width
4'-8' / 1.2m - 2.4m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Winter
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Native To
South America, Argentina, Brazil
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
