Willow Jessamine

This Chilean native shrub grows quickly up to 3 metres high with an equivalent width in a somewhat straggly shape. The Willow Jessamine has yellow, fragrant flowers at night from summer through to autumn. They emerge in loose clusters with a tubular shape, about 2 cm in length, and mainly appear at the tips of the upright branches. Slender twigs are lined alternately with deciduous linear leaves that resemble the foliage of willows. They are shiny on top, up to 12 cm long, and release an unpleasant smell when crushed. In Arriyadh, where it is occasionally found in protected gardens, frost may damage the leaves and even kill the branches, but the shrubs readily recover and even flower the same year. Pollinated by moths or butterflies, they develop into small dark-brown, egg-shaped berries. These fruits attract birds which distribute the seeds. The plants may become a nuisance when they invade favourable sites, and their toxic seeds may endanger livestock such as cattle and poultry. C. parqui tolerates some shade, but does best in partial sun with fertile soil. Irrigation in summer is necessary, while it withstands some drought in winter after the leaves are shed. In early spring, it may be cut to the ground to renew growth which should be aided by an application of general-purpose fertiliser. Pinching out is recommended at any time of the year to keep a compact shape. This shrub looks good in groups and may enhance pedestrian precincts with its fragrance.