The Murraya exotica, also known as orange jasmine or mock orange, is an evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the Rutaceae family. This versatile plant, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, is prized for its elegant form, glossy foliage, and fragrant flowers.
Murraya exotica typically grows to a height of 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) but can occasionally reach up to 7 meters (23 feet) in ideal conditions. Its compact, multi-branched structure creates a dense canopy, making it an excellent choice for hedges and screens.
The plant’s dark green, pinnate leaves are composed of 3-9 leaflets, each oval to obovate in shape with a glossy surface. New growth often emerges with a bronze tint, adding visual interest to the foliage.
Flowering occurs primarily from spring through summer (April to August), with some plants producing blooms intermittently throughout the year in tropical climates. The inflorescences typically form at the branch tips and leaf axils, creating clusters of 4-15 flowers in a cyme arrangement. Each flower is small (about 2 cm or 0.8 inches in diameter), star-shaped, and pure white, emitting a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance that can perfume an entire garden.
Following the flowering period, small, ovoid berries develop, ripening from green to red or orange between September and December. While ornamental, these fruits are mildly toxic and should not be consumed.
Murraya exotica thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0-7.5) and prefers full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy soils, making it suitable for coastal plantings. The plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established but benefits from regular watering during dry spells.
In landscaping, Murraya exotica serves multiple purposes:
The plant is particularly valued in southern regions for its year-round appeal, with the flush of new growth in early summer being especially attractive. Its tolerance to pruning allows for easy maintenance and shaping to suit various garden styles.
It’s worth noting that while Murraya exotica is often referred to by numerous common names, including mountain pepper and thousand-mile fragrance, care should be taken not to confuse it with other plants sharing similar monikers. Always refer to the scientific name for accurate identification and cultivation information.
Murraya paniculata, commonly known as orange jasmine or mock orange, is a small evergreen tree that can reach a height of 8 meters. Its mature branches are white-gray or light yellow-gray, while the young branches of the current year’s growth are green.
The leaves are compound, typically consisting of 3-5-7 leaflets. These leaflets are ovate or oval-elliptical in shape, often with asymmetrical sides. They measure 1-6 cm in length and 0.5-3 cm in width. The leaflet tips are rounded or blunt, occasionally slightly concave, with a short, sharp base that is slightly skewed to one side. The margins of the leaflets are entire (smooth). The petioles of the individual leaflets are notably short.
The inflorescences are typically terminal (growing at the branch tips) or both terminal and axillary (growing from leaf axils). They form a compact, umbrella-like shape, technically described as a shortened conical umbel. The flowers are white and fragrant.
Each flower has a small, ovate calyx approximately 1.5 mm long. The corolla consists of 5 oblong petals, measuring 10-15 mm in length, which reflex (fold back) when the flower is fully open. There are 10 stamens of varying lengths, slightly shorter than the petals. The filaments are white, and the anthers have two small oil glands on their dorsal surface. The pistil is slightly more slender than the ovary, with no clear demarcation between them, and both are light green in color. The stigma is yellow and has a coarse texture.
The fruit is a small berry, orange-yellow to vermilion in color. It is broadly ovoid or elliptical in shape, with a short tip at the apex, slightly asymmetrical, and occasionally spherical. The fruits measure 8-12 mm in length and 6-10 mm in diameter. The pulp contains a sticky, gel-like fluid, and the seeds are covered with short, cotton-like hairs.
Murraya paniculata has an extended flowering period from April to August, with some plants continuing to bloom into autumn. The fruiting period typically occurs from September to December.
Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) thrives in warm climates, ideally between 20-32°C (68-90°F), and is not frost-tolerant. This sun-loving perennial flourishes in full sun and well-ventilated locations, producing lush foliage and abundant fragrant flowers.
During the blooming period, typically from late spring to early fall, lemon verbena can be moved to a sunny windowsill, filling the room with its refreshing citrusy scent. After flowering, it should remain in a well-lit area to maintain healthy growth. While the plant can tolerate partial shade, it doesn’t grow as robustly in these conditions, and the flowers will have a weaker fragrance.
In insufficient light, lemon verbena’s branches become thin and leggy, leaves turn pale, and flowering is reduced or absent. In its native habitat, it’s typically found growing as a shrub on flatlands, gentle slopes, and hills near coastal areas, preferring well-draining sandy soils and sunny locations.
As temperatures drop to around 5°C (41°F) in winter, move the plant indoors to a cool room (5-10°C or 41-50°F) for overwintering. Gradual acclimation to cooler temperatures is crucial, as exposing it to cold too abruptly can compromise its frost resistance.
If indoor temperatures are too low, lemon verbena may shed leaves, affecting its growth in the following season. Exposure to temperatures below 0°C (32°F) can cause frost damage or plant death. Conversely, if the overwintering environment is too warm, the plant won’t enter proper dormancy and may even start sprouting indoors, depleting valuable energy reserves.
When reintroducing the plant outdoors in spring, protect it from cold winds, which can cause bud damage and hinder that year’s growth. Excessively high temperatures during winter can deplete the plant’s nutrients, impacting growth and flowering in the subsequent season.
During the active growing period, provide lemon verbena with full sun to light shade, ensuring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This light exposure is crucial for developing aromatic oils, resulting in abundant flowers with a strong, pleasant scent.
While lemon verbena is adaptable to various soil types, it prefers well-draining, sandy loam rich in organic matter. When planting or repotting, use a mixture of 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite or coarse sand, and 1 part compost. After planting, water thoroughly and place the pot in a shaded area for about 10 days to allow the root system to establish. Then, gradually move it to a sunny, well-ventilated location for optimal growth.
Regular pruning in early spring and after flowering helps maintain the plant’s shape and encourages bushier growth. With proper care, lemon verbena can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall in ideal conditions, providing a bountiful harvest of aromatic leaves for culinary and medicinal uses.
Seed propagation: Harvest ripe, fully developed, red fruits. Clean them in water to remove the skin and any surface impurities, discarding shriveled seeds. Dry the viable seeds for future use.
Sow in spring (March to April, or as late as May) or autumn (early September to October). Optimal germination occurs at temperatures between 16-22°C, with seeds sprouting 25-35 days after sowing.
For the nursery, select a plot with good drainage and nutrient-rich soil. Deep plow, break up clods, rake the soil flat, and create beds 1-1.2 meters wide. Sow seeds in rows or broadcast them. Cover with 1.2 cm of soil, then add a layer of straw mulch and water thoroughly.
Remove the straw after germination. When seedlings develop 2-3 true leaves, thin them to 10-15 cm apart. Regularly weed and apply organic fertilizer. Transplant when seedlings reach 15-20 cm in height.
Cutting propagation: In May-June, during the active growing period, perform ring-barking on selected stems. Wrap the barked area with white film. Roots should develop in about 50 days, at which point the cutting can be planted. This method produces plants with strong root systems and high success rates.
Grafting propagation: Use lemon verbena seedlings as rootstock. Cleft grafting, whip grafting, and bud grafting are all effective during the growth period. Note that lemon verbena has particularly thick bark. For successful grafting, carefully peel away the bark to expose the yellowish-white cambium layer, ensuring proper union between scion and rootstock.
Powdery Mildew: This foliar disease can be controlled by spraying fungicides such as azoxystrobin, triazolone, or methyl thiophanate.
Rust: A common branch disease causing internal rot. Control with triazolone sprays.
Red Spider Mites: These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions. They cause grayish spots on leaves, leading to defoliation in severe cases. Control with fenpyroximate, spiromesifen, or dicofol sprays.
Scale Insects: These sap-sucking pests can cause sooty mold and premature leaf drop. Remove manually or spray with insecticides like malathion, trichlorfon, or dichlorvos.
Longhorn Beetles: A significant threat to basil plants. Remove adults manually or apply sulfur-based compounds for prevention and control.
Red Spider Mites (Detailed Prevention):
These pests cause yellowing and massive leaf drop by sucking sap from leaves. They proliferate in hot, dry conditions. Regularly inspect leaves for tiny red bugs on either surface. Control options include:
Basil trees are prized for their elegant form, evergreen foliage, fragrant white flowers, and striking red fruits. They make excellent bonsai subjects and provide year-round interest, with peak ornamental value in early summer when new leaves unfurl.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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