Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Solanaceae
Botanical Name
CESTRUM elegans
Plant Common Name
Butterfly Flower, Red Cestrum
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
From spring to early fall, red cestrum displays cute clusters of pinkish red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. A fast-growing evergreen shrub with arching branches, it is a Mexican native. The leaves are lance-shaped, mid-green and have tiny silvery hairs. Anytime from spring to early fall, when temperatures are warm and soil moisture plentiful, the small tubular flowers appear in tight clusters on twig tips. Each blossom is pink, pink-red or magenta, long and has five short, stubby, star-like petals that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. After pollination small violet-red berries may develop and then be devoured by songbirds.
Grow red cestrum in a fertile, well-draining, non-alkaline soil in full sun (or partial sun in hot summer regions). Provide water from spring to fall to promote continuous flushes of flowers, but markedly reduce irrigation in winter. Pruning can be done selectively on branches during the growing season to keep it to an appropriate size or shape. In frost-prone areas it will be killed to the ground and resprout in the spring as soil warms. Use it as a large accent shrub in the mixed border or wildlife garden. Its flowers and foliage stems can be used as a cutflower.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m
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Width
8'-10' / 2.4m - 3.0m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Mexico
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Magenta, Crimson, Violet
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Fruit Color
Red, Violet
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No
