Crepe Jasmine, one of the most suitable plants for home gardens, you can grow easily. Owing to the shape of the flowers, it is popularly known as the pinwheel flower plant. In Malayalam language, the name of the plant is Nandiarvattom(നന്ത്യാർവട്ടം), and the botanical name is Tabernaemontana divaricata.
Mostly this tropical evergreen plant, branch out fairly with foliage that are in different shades of green. Likewise, the the Crepe Jasmine plants bloom through out the year, with beautiful white flowers in small clusters.
Commonly the Crepe Jasmine plants are found as bushes, whereas we can grow it as trees, especially for landscaping. In a sunny location the plant grows taller, and surely we can prune the lower branches for the trunk to become prominent.
The plant responds well to pruning, and hence it is quite easier to make hedges as well as garden boarders with this plant. Definitely, the miniature variety of the Crepe Jasmine plant, is the best one for this purpose. The beautiful white flowers in abundance, amongst the the thickly packed green leaves, will look really awesome.
In addition, potted crepe Jasmine plants are ideal for keeping in your balconies or for terrace gardens.
Common uses of the plant
The flowers of the Crepe Jasmine plants, are widely used in South Indian temples, for pooja purposes. Mainly, there are two different varieties of Crepe Jasmine plants. The most common one, is that with single layered flowers. The multi layered fragrant flowers of the other variety, though smaller in size resemble that of gardenia.
Also the plant has got a number of medicinal properties, and hence different parts of the plants are used for making Ayurvedic preparations. Moreover we can use it as home remedies, for certain minor ailments.
For example, we can use the flowers of the plant, as an effective remedy for eye problems such as allergic itching, redness etc. For this, first soak a few petals of the flowers in pure water overnight. Then, filter the water and use it for washing your eyes, early in the morning.
Usually, we use the Crepe Jasmine plants with scented flowers, for medicinal purposes.
Let us see how to grow this beautiful plant in our gardens.
Propagation of the Crepe Jasmine plants for gardens
The best method for propagation, is through stem cuttings collected from mature mother plants. Certainly we can use cuttings with a length of about two to four inches. In addition, applying a rooting hormone helps faster growth of the saplings.
You can use pots or grow bags, filled with a mixture of river sand and coco peat in equal ratio, for the stem cuttings for rooting. Remember to keep it in shade for a few days and water moderately on a regular basis. Also avoid over watering, because it may cause the stem cuttings to rot.
After a period of three to four weeks, your saplings will become ready for replanting.
For growing directly in soil, select a place where partial sunlight is available. Moreover, ensure a well drained soil medium, which is one of the essential requirements for the proper growth of the plant.
Potted Crepe Jasmine plants for gardens
For this, first prepare a potting medium with ingredients mixed in the following ratio:
| River sand | 25% |
| Garden soil | 25% |
| Coco peat | 25% |
| A mixture of bone meal, neem seed powder and cow dung or compost in the ratio 1:1:1 | 25% |
Fill 3/4 of an ordinary terracotta pot with the above mixture, and plant your crepe Jasmine sapling in it, preferably about three inches deep. Keep the pot in shade for a few days, till the plant adapts to the new environment.
Gradually move the pot to bright indirect sunlight, and your crepe Jasmine plant begins to bloom within a few months.
The plant always needs a moist medium, and hence never forget to water regularly. Besides, feeding the plant with some diluted organic fertilizer at intervals of about six weeks, is essential for proper blooming.
Crepe Jasmine plant bonsai
For making bonsai, it is better to use saplings that are developed from stem cuttings. Timely pruning, wiring, repotting etc. are the must have requirements for maintaining the size and beauty of your bonsai.
With the above simple tips, try to make your garden really amazing with the beautiful Crepe Jasmine plants.
