How to Plant a Night Blooming Jasmine

Overview

Night blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum), is also known as night blooming jessamine or night blooming cestrum. It is native to tropical America and the West Indies. The flowers are small tubular blooms born in clusters. Although they are not particularly showy, their fragrance is overpowering.

Step 1

Choose a planting site with average to moist soil, but one that is not waterlogged. Cestrum nocturnum is adaptable to a wide range of conditions. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. Without pruning it will reach a height of 6 to 10 feet, with a spread of 6 feet. It is not salt tolerant and needs protection from freezing temperatures.

Step 2

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the container. Mix some organic material (peat moss, leaf mold, manure, or compost) into the soil that has been removed. The ration should be 1/3 organic matter to 2/3 soil.

Step 3

Remove the plant from its container. If the roots are a dense mass score the root ball deeply in three places with the pruning shears. Prune any visible damaged roots. Place the shrub in the planting hole.

Step 4

Fill in around roots with the mix. When you have filled in the hole half way, fill the planting hole with water. As it drains it will settle the planting mix around the roots. Continue filling in the hole and water again.

Step 5

Check the moisture level of the soil for the next few weeks and water as needed. The soil should be moist but not wet.