Re: Lady of the Night, Galan de Noche, Night Scented Jessamine

At 03:26 AM 12/2/2001, you wrote:
>can any body help with the identification of a plant from southen spain 
>which is a woody shrub and grows up to six feet tall the flowers the plant 
>produces are small white tubular flowers which have a very strong 
>fragrance at night I was told its common name is lady of the night can 
>anybody identify this plant with its correct botanical name.
>With Regards
>Gail Sheehan

Gail -

We had a similar request 21 months ago for this same popular plant . . .

You can also find out some information (and see a photo) on this page of 
our web site:
http://www.MediterraneanGardenSociety.org/plants/Cestrum.html

Regards,
Seán O.

----- included archive e-mail -----
At 10:03 AM 2/6/2000, Seán A. O'Hara wrote:
At 02:39 PM 2/6/00 +0100, John Coulson wrote:
 >Puerto Alcudia 6th Feb.
 >>I have been given a "Galan De Noche" and whilst looking for
 >I found your site. I would appreciate some information and
 >advice on caring for this plant.                  Regards, John

John -

Of course, as soon as I sent off that previous note, we had a breakthrough
in researching this plant for you.

I believe "Galan De Noche" is Cestrum nocturnum, know here in America as
"Night Scented Jessamine".  It is a large tender shrub, from 6ft-8ft,
growing new stems from the base and forming a 'vase-shaped' form (i.e.
narrow at the base, arching out at the top).  The leaves are mid-green to
yellow-green.  The flowers are narrow, tubular, with flaring petals at the
end, perhaps .75-1.25in in length, borne in great clusters at the end of
the branches, greenish white in bud, becoming creamy white.  They are quite
powerfully fragrant, a scent similar to Paper-White Narcissus.  Some people
love this fragrance, others find it sickly (I am one) - it seems to have
more to do with a person's nose and nostalgia.  Older stems should be
routinely cut out at the base, to allow newer stems to take their place,
allowing the plant to assume its natural shape and to provide the best
flowering.  Will take considerable neglect and some drought, but better
looking with occasional water and some care.  Exposure to intense, hot sun
can be tolerated, but again, best with afternoon shade and some protection
from winds.  All parts of the plant are very poisonous.

Hope this helps - if you have other questions, please let me know.
Regards,
Seán O.

No. Calif. Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society
Seán A. O'Hara - Branch co-chair
(510) 987-0577; fax (707) 667-1173; sean@support.net
710 Jean Street, Oakland, California 94610-1459, U.S.A.
http://www.MediterraneanGardenSociety.org/branches_CANo.html
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