Plant of the Month

Pinwheel Jasmine (Tabernaemontana divaricata)

This is one of the most reliable of the shrub bloomers with a good display of flowers every day of the year. It can grow to 8-10 feet in height but is a slow grower. The pinwheel jasmine does well in sun or shade but cannot tolerate high alkalinity. Do not plant this beauty within 5-6 feet of any cement including house foundations. The plant should be used as a specimen. It is excellent for lighting up a shady corner or located near an area used for night entertaining. The pinwheel jasmine has a layered growth habit and can make an interesting specimen for an oriental garden. White pinwheel-like blooms are individually small but are carried in enough quantity to make a good display. Fertilize with an ixora/gardenia fertilizer in March, June and October.

• Origin — India
• Foliage — Glossy oval pointed leaves.
• Growth rate — Slow to medium
• Nutritional requirements — Must have an acid soil or acid type fertilizer to do well.
• Soil requirements — Acid soil
• Salt tolerance — Low
• Drought tolerance — Low
• Light requirements — Wide
• Propagation — Cuttings
• Major problems — Mealybug, scale, mites, nematodes.
• Environmental problems — None
  

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