Plant Notes

PLANT OF THE MONTH:	November 2007
Cestrum elegans	SOLANACEAE
RED CESTRUM Grown by Pat Knight: This is an outstanding, evergreen shrub from Mexico. It is fast growing to 10'-15' high & wide with glossy, dark green leaves. It blooms spring to fall with crowded clusters of tubular, crimson flowers on the branch ends. Hummingbirds love them. Beautiful crimson berries follow. It takes full sun or some afternoon shade and moderate water though it will take some dryness when established. It is not rated as hardy for us in zones 15 and 16, but Jackie Doda grew one in a somewhat sheltered spot in Mountain View for many years. It is well worth trying. Pat finds this shrub needs space. It outgrew its place inside the flowerbed and was removed. However a shoot escaped and grew outside the wall. Now this is the beautiful result. Both the cestrum and Pat are happy with its new self chosen location !	Cestrum elegans Photo by Patricia Knight     Cestrum elegans Photo by Patricia Knight