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Stephanotis floribunda (Madagascar Jasmine) - A slow growing rope-like evergreen twining vine that in time can grow 15 to 20 feet tall and wide with 3- to 4-inch-long ovate shaped shiny dark green leathery leaves held in opposite pairs. In late spring and late summer into fall, in two flushes, appear the clusters of trumpet shaped starry petaled pure white flowers that are very fragrant. The flowers are sometimes followed by large leathery seed pods with white plumed seeds.
Plant with some support in a well-drained soil in light shade or at least were the base of the plant is cool and shaded with the top growth growing out into part to full sun. Water regularly to occasionally. Can be grown indoors in a container over winter but best in the ground or large pots in coastal frost-free southern California gardens. It needs some protection from frost in colder locations, but though often cited as sensitive to temperatures below 39 °F, it actually tolerates temperatures closer to freezing. On cold wet years it can look a little stark, but rebounds and when it flowers in the summer, it is most wonderful. This is the flower of the groom's boutonniere and the bride's nosegay (a small posy or flower bouquet) at weddings.
As the common name implies, Madagascar Jasmine comes from Madagascar, where it is found in moist rainforests of the southern provinces. The plant was first described by the French botanist Adolphe-Thédore Brongniart in 1837 and was on display in England by 1840. It was introduced into California by nurseryman Colonel James Lafayette Warren of Sacramento in 1853. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'stephanos', meaning "a crown" and 'otus' meaning "an ear" in reference to the auricles in the staminal crown within the flower. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'floris' meaning "flower" or 'florere' meaning "to flower" with the suffix 'bundus' meaning "an action accomplished' which gives the meaning of "profusely flowering" or "having abundant flowers". Other common names for this plant are clustered Wax-flower, Bridal Wreath, Floradora and Hawaiian Wedding Flower. We have grown this plant off and on since 1981 and our current crop is from seed collected off of a very happy large plant growing and flowering well in the Santa Barbara foothills.
This information about Stephanotis floribunda displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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