Family: Solanaceae

These heat-loving evergreen shrubs from tropical and subtropical America produce delightfully showy flowers, comprising pendulous clusters of long tubes, mostly in red, orange or yellow, followed by purple, red or white berries. The simple, narrow leaves are deciduous in some of the least commonly cultivated species, and they are believed to be poisonous to stock. Some of the species have quite an overpowering fragrance.

Species

C. elegans is an attractive species with red flowers and red berries. Var. smithii produces rose red blooms over a long period.

C. fasciculatum, zone 9, grows to 3 m (10 ft) and has purplish red flowers. Var. coccineum bears scarlet flowers.

C. 'Newellii', zone 9, produces an abundance of crimson flowers.

C. nocturnum, night scented jasmine, grows to 4 m (13 ft) and has shiny, glabrous leaves to 20 cm (8 in) long. The profuse clusters of small, greenish white tube-like flowers open at night to release an intense perfume.

C. parqui, zone 9, willow jasmine, has blueish green leaves to 15 cm (6 in), fragrant, greenish yellow flowers and purple berries. It has become a noxious weed in many areas and is poisonous to farm stock.

Cultivation

In frost-prone areas, grow in pots or soil border in a cool to intermediate greenhouse or conservatory. Ensure maximum light. Outdoors, grow in a sunny sheltered spot in well-drained soil. Propagate by cuttings in spring or summer.

Climate

Zone 10 for most.