Forest & Kim Starr
Family
Rutaceae
Botanical Name
MURRAYA paniculata 'Lakeview'
Plant Common Name
Orange Jasmine
General Description
A mass of dark-green foliage year around, ‘Lakeview’ is most noticed when the fragrant, citrusy, white flowers dot the shrub heavily during the warm months. A selection of a large evergreen shrub from southern Asia that has become naturalized throughout southeastern Asia and Australia, it is commonly used as a hedge because of its upright yet rounded habit. It is often sold as a standard (pruned to a tall, bare trunk and a branching, leafy top) for patio containers.
The leaves are compound--made up of five to seven small, oval leaflets that are glossy dark green and slightly larger than those of the species. At branch tips anytime of year, when warm enough, tight clusters of white, five-petalled flowers appear, attracting bees and butterflies. The fragrance of the blooms is intoxicating, smelling of a sweet citrus, most intensely. The small red-orange berries that follow are eaten by birds, and will germinate readily, potentially leading to invasiveness in subtropical climes.
Grow orange jasmine in average, well-drained soils that are not highly alkaline. Full to partial sun is best, although broken light (as under palms or tall pines) is ideal in very hot climates. It has some tolerance of drought and light frost. Use it as a hedgerow or unpruned as a robust accent plant for a mixed border or foundation bed. Remove seedlings from under the mother plant, and investigate if this shrub is a prohibited plant in your region because of its reseeding tendency.
Note that orange jasmine is a host for an insect that spreads the deadly citrus greening disease. In Florida, for example, this plant and its cultivars are no longer sold to protect the citrus tree industry.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 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'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m
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Width
6'-15' / 1.8m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Southern Asia, India, China
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Ivory
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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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
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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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
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes