PlantFiles: Pink Cestrum, Red Cestrum, Purple Cestrum
Cestrum elegans 'Smithii'

I bought this plant last winter after having very positive experience with the red Cestrum. I was looking for color and blooms with nectar that would feed hummingbirds during the winter months. Cestrum will definitely do that in my 10a area.

I found this Smithii loaded with blooms and brought it home. Then I discovered it was severely root bound to the point it required watering every day even in the winter. It was so beautiful and I hadn't seen this color before that I didn't want to return it to the nursery. So I removed it from it's pot, hosed down the root ball and cut into the root to break it open and remove some of the tangled and compacted mess. I cut back much of the plant and repot it in a larger pot. It bounced back immediately with new growth and is cheerfully coloring my yard and feeding the hummers. It is hardy, easy to care for, no bug problems so far in my area. I have noted that full sun will cause the pinkish salmon colored flowers to fade. The color is best in partial sun. I have pets in the yard and, because this plant is poisonous, I collect the berries and any dropped foliage or flowers so my pets will not come into contact with whatever falls on the ground. The Smithii will probably be moved to my courtyard where my pets rarely go since they prefer chasing imaginary critters in the back yard.