Jessamine - Cestrum

Jessamine is a pollinator favorite that is native to tropical and semi-tropical locations in the Americas. It is a semi-evergreen shrub with attractive glossy leaves in zones 7-10. It will die back to the ground in zones 7-8 during hard winters, but it will regrow from the roots. Jessamine is known for its deeply saturated cheerful yellow to orange tubular blooms that are magnets for butterflies and hummingbirds and will appear all season long from spring to frost. The fragrant blooms are prized by gardeners, but tend to put off deer, which is a plus! Jessamine is drought tolerant once established and is happy in full to part sun with well-drained soil. This beauty deserves a prominent place in the garden so that the fragrance and pollinator activity can be enjoyed by all. It makes a wonderful specimen in the border, lovely container plant on the deck or patio, or planted in mass for a spectacular display.