Murraya paniculata

Murraya paniculata, more commonly known as orange jasmine, is a perennial shrub or small tree native to parts of southern Asia and Australia.  Shiny, elliptical, deep-green leaves decorate the gray branches of orange jasmine that form a wide, rotund growth habit.  Clusters of inconspicuous, white, five-petalled blooms carry a potent orange blossom fragrance that radiates into the surrounding area.  Not only is the sweet aroma attractive to human noses, but to butterflies, birds, and bees as well, luring many wonderous creatures to enjoy the nectar of its blooms.  After the blooms have been pollinated, sizeable orange berries containing a large hairy seed will be produced, providing a treat for local birds.  All parts of the orange jasmine plant are edible; the berries are rather bland, but the leaves are commonly used to prepare tea.  

Provide orange jasmine plants with a location that receives the bright morning sun but is protected against the harsher midday rays.  Alternatively, orange jasmine can be planted where it will receive consistent dappled sunlight throughout the day.  Orange jasmine plants fare poorly in waterlogged soil, so ensure they are planted in a very well-draining mixture rich in compost or other organic matter.  Provide your orange jasmine with a deep watering whenever the top 2 in / 5 cm of soil has dried out.  If you are located in a particularly hot climate or the plant is in a container, it will likely require watering more frequently.  Highly humid environments are ideal for growing orange jasmine and can be artificially created by regularly watering the area surrounding the plant.  Fertilize orange jasmine plants once per month throughout the growing season with an evergreen specific fertilizer, or a balanced water-soluble evergreen fertilizer when potted.  Pruning should be performed regularly while the plant is young, as it will grow rapidly and need to have its shape maintained.  Otherwise, try to limit pruning to removing dead and diseased branches only, or at most about an eighth of the plants' yearly growth.  

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Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Murraya Paniculata

Murraya paniculata

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