MELBOURNE STREET TREES 67 - PURPLE CESTRUM

Cestrum is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. They are native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Americas, from the southernmost United States (Florida, Texas: Day-blooming Cestrum, C. diurnum) south to the Bío-Bío Region in central Chile (Green Cestrum, C. parqui). They are colloquially known as cestrums or jessamines (from "jasmine", due to their fragrant flowers). They are shrubs growing to 1–4 m tall. Most are evergreen, a few are deciduous. All parts of the plants are toxic, causing severe gastroenteritis if eaten.

The photos below are of the less common variety of Purple Cestrum (Cestrum x cultum 'Cretan Purple'). Compare this to the more common, green Cestrum nocturnum ('Lady of the Night'). The flowers of 'Cretan Purple' are violet/lavender in colour, and it will flower repeatedly over the Summer. Grow in a well-drained fertile soil in sun or part shade. Place in a sheltered position, such as against a sunny wall, or a sheltered border. It is frost-hardy.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.