PlantFiles: Crape Jasmine, Crepe Jasmine
Tabernaemontana divaricata 'Flore Pleno'

My neighbor planted 8 of these fast growing shrubs between our houses, in full sun, and they are beautiful ~ glossy green leaves, usually in bloom. Last February we had a week of unusually cold weather ~ below freezing and windy. They dropped every leaf and we feared they had died. Weeks past without a sign of life. His landscaper told him they were dead and to dig them out. Instead, John cut off the branches down to a foot from the ground (they were over 6 feet tall). A few weeks later, leaves began to appear. Now, 6 months later, they are again 4 feet high and as lush as ever! The only disappointment I have is that ours are not very fragrant at all, but their evergreen beauty more than compensates for that. They propagate with runners and, happily, some of the runners are in my yard. I've dug them up and planted them under my bedroom window in partial shade. This is a great shrub that I strongly recommend!

I have kept this plant, 'Flore Plena' variety, in a container for over 3 years in my front porch. I cover it up during winter frosts for protection. Plant grows very slow, flower buds take a while to bloom, but flowers last a long time. Flower's scent fills my front porch area - scent is stronger at night.

We bought an old 1937 home for restoration and found a lovely Carnation of India tree in the back yard - 12 feet high, 12 inch caliper trunk at 12 inches above ground. Research indicates it may have been planted in 1960's. It froze back with Christmas Snow of 2004 but came back in February without any loss. Blooms year-round in McAllen, Texas - beautiful glossy leaves with dozens of delicate crepe-like flowers every day.

We purchased this house with this tree already 10 feet tall (actually a shrub). It is doing very well under a large oak, in partial shade, and has been flowering lightly since the end of April. The flowers are very lightly scented, reminscent of mock orange. It withstood a drought well, tho now we have it under irrigation (and are in the FL rainy season).

Easy to grow
Wilts/droops during long drought
Roots easily
Transplants well

I got this plant as a rooted cutting from a friend. When I moved, this was too big to bring, so I shall have to seek another cutting -- and soon, because their house has been sold! I love the very glossy leaves, and the really lovely flowers. It seems quite a tough plant I like those!