Cestrum elegans (Red cestrum)

Botanical name

Cestrum elegans

Other names

Red cestrum, Cestrum purpureum

Genus

Cestrum Cestrum

Species

C. elegans - C. elegans is a vigorous, evergeen shrub with arching branches, matt, mid-green leaves, panciles of tubular, red to purple-red flowers in summer and autumn followed by purple-red fruit.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Arching

Toxicity

All parts are poisonous if ingested.

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Colour

Flower

Red, Reddish-purple in Summer; Reddish-purple, Red in Autumn

Foliage

Mid-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Group 9 - Deadhead regularly if practical. Lightly trim or prune misplaced shoots in mid- to late spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Cestrum elegans (Red cestrum) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered site in sun or part shade. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam based compost in full light with shade from intense sun. Provide good ventilation.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Cestrum elegans (Red cestrum)

Common pest name

; Black wood of grapevine; Female sterility of tobacco; Fruit woodiness of tomato; Maize Redness; Mal azul of tomato; Metabolbur; Metastolbur; Parastolbur; Purple top of potato; Stolbur of potato; Stolbur of tobacco; Stolbur of tomato

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma solani

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Phytoplasma which potentially affects a wide host range; determined by the feeding behaviour of vectors. First UK outbreak in 2014; on strawberry; a host not specifically regulated in EU legislation. This legislation should be reviewed to take account of this and other developments.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Cestrum elegans (Red cestrum)

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Cestrum elegans (Red cestrum)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Xiphinema bakeri

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode pest; could potentially affect trees and other species if introduced but many pathways regulated. No evidence of interceptions or findings to date.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/