Tabernaemontana divaricata – Crape Jasmine – Ajaytao
Common name: Crape jasmine, Moonbeam, Carnation of India
Botanical name: Tabernaemontana divaricata
Genus: Tabernaemontana
Species: divaricata
Hindi: Chandni चांदनी , Tagar तगर, Tagari तगरी
Gujarati: Sagar • Marathi: Ananta, Tagar
Family: Apocynaceae (Oleander family)
Synonyms: Tabernaemontana citrifolia, Tabernaemontana coronaria,
Crape jasmine, a shrub very common in India, generally grows to a height of 6 ft. However, it can also grow into a small tree with a thin, crooked stem. Like many members of the Oleander family, stems exude a milky latex when broken. The large shiny leaves are deep green and are 6 or more inches in length and about 2 inches in width. Crape jasmine blooms in spring but flowers appear sporadically all year. The waxy blossoms are white five-petaled pinwheels that are borne in small clusters on the stem tips. This plant is a moderate grower for full to part sun, though it actually prefers partial shade and will flower there. Its ultimate height is about 8 feet tall with a 6 foot wide top.
The crape jasmine tree – with its pretty form and exquisite, sweetly-scented flowers – makes a wonderful accent anywhere in the landscape…even in part shade. Sometimes spelled “crepe jasmine” – or called “cape jasmine” – these are actually shrubs that can be used as hedges or specimen plants in bush form, but as a small ornamental tree of 8 feet or less they’re at their best.
With its ruffled-edge, white double flowers, this plant creates a big show of blossoms in spring and then blooms on and off through summer. Their fragrance is stronger by evening, making this a desirable small tree near a patio, screened lanai or pool cage.
Similar in looks (though the fragrance is different) to gardenias, crapes can be somewhat easier care – more cold-tolerant and less prone to insect invasions.
Evergreen with large, shiny, deep green leaves, this jasmine (though not a “true” jasmine – at one time everything with a sweet-smelling flower was called jasmine) is moderately cold hardy, doing best in Zone 10A and warmer areas of Zone 9B.
Plant care
Plant with either top soil or organic peat moss in combination with composted cow manure as soil amendments. The crape jasmine tree needs regular waterings. Trim occasionally to shape.
Flowers are commonly used in pooja (Religious ceremony) in north and south India. A jasmine tree can be placed close to the house – as near as 3 or 4 feet away. If you’re planting a row or grouping, place them 3 to 5 feet apart. Give it a spot sheltered from winter winds. Though a colder winter may defoliate the plant, it should flush back out in spring.
Blooms: Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer. Blooms repeatedly.
Foliage:Evergreen, Aromatic
Crapes will grow in large containers as long as watering is regular and sufficient.
Ajaytao Photography
I adore Jasmine and the fragrance is heavenly… 🙂 Many thanks for sharing Ajay.. Loved my time on your new blog.. Sue xoxox
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May 6, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 5:47 pm
This flower always brings back memories of my Mother in Law, who had a conservatory filled with the most enormous specimen. The smell was intoxicating!!
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May 6, 2014 at 7:04 pm
Yes dear exactly
thank you so much 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Aliosa.
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May 6, 2014 at 7:32 pm
what a beautiful video, ! Thank you for sharing…
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
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May 6, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 8:40 pm
thank you dear 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 7:59 am
Thank you ! I have a Carnation of India, you gave me/us wonderful information
I didn’t know it was in the oleander family….
Beautiful images, I will enjoy wandering through your photos and information….Thank you for sharing
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
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May 6, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Oh thank you so much dear ladybluerose 🙂
the aim of this blog is excellent pictures as well all the relevant information for the new gardener, I feel it will help many as well educate 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 8:39 pm
The fragrance of Jasmine is more intoxicating than the costliest and most exotic perfume in the world. Such is the Almighty’s creation.
Cheers and thanks Ajay 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Yes dear ut the Indian crape jasmine does not have that much fragrance 🙂
thank you dear 🙂
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May 6, 2014 at 9:39 pm
*(sniff / sniff)* / *(munch / munch)*…..
Tasty and BEAUTIFUL! (oops- hope they’re not poisonous to kats…)?
LOVE YOUR NEW BLOG! ♥
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May 6, 2014 at 10:07 pm
no they are not 🙂
thank you dear 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 7:58 am
oh GOODIE!!! *(munch / munch)*♥
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May 8, 2014 at 7:31 am
Oh thanks dear 🙂
love your comments 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 8:14 am
*{Awwwwwww, thank you human! You made my furry little day)! *
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May 9, 2014 at 3:26 am
oh dear thank you 🙂
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May 9, 2014 at 8:47 am
Looks beautiful. I also love Jasmine, everytime I smell it I think of my mither
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May 6, 2014 at 10:27 pm
Oh so beautiful dear Sheri 🙂
thank you 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 7:56 am
The flowers look lovely and I love very fragrant flowers.
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May 7, 2014 at 2:43 am
yes yes dear exactly
but the Indian breed here is less fragrant 🙂
Thank you dear 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 7:50 am
Thanks for sharing this lovely post! I am so glad I found your blog.
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May 7, 2014 at 3:21 pm
thank you so much dear 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Wunderschöne Blüten.Wünsche einen guten Mittwoch liebe Grüße Gislinde
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May 7, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Thank you so much 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Beautiful new blog. I love how you always add beauty to our day no matter the darkness all around! Big smiles, Anne
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May 7, 2014 at 8:55 pm
Oh thank you so much dear Annet 🙂
your comments come as a blessing from an elder sister dear bow to you 🙂
thank you so much 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 8:57 pm
I touch your feet. . . . .
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May 7, 2014 at 8:59 pm
no dear you are an elder sister so I bow to you 🙂
thank you so much 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 9:03 pm
Thank you !
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May 7, 2014 at 9:04 pm
I feel honored dear 🙂
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May 7, 2014 at 9:09 pm
Ajaytao, I love this new blog. Thank you for providing the information about the plants with the photos. I’m aware of the amount of time a post such as this requires but it’s invaluable to those of us that love all plants and your knowledge provides endless insight. Thank you.
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May 8, 2014 at 1:55 am
Yes dear i wanted to share everything about the beauty of nature, i love flowers, trees, and leaves so I wanted to share everything I know about them with the world.
Apart from my pictures the information I think will help a new gardener and educate many.
Hope you all like it 🙂
I was a passionate gardener and I had almost 250 big sized pots in our terrace and I grew so many things from vegetables to flowers in them, huge variety of flowers, the pots were huge and everything was beautiful. I made my own 100% organic compost. I loved it, but somehow I lasted only 5 years and people in our Hsg society objected and I could not carry it further. All this was 22 years ago.
So now I want to share everything I know about it 🙂
thanks dear Sheri 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 8:26 am
Ajaytao – It’s heartbreaking to think some people didn’t appreciate your labor of love and you had to stop your amazing work with flowers, trees and vegetables. You obviously have a great knowledge and the photos are exquisite. I derive a great deal of pleasure from gardening and it makes me sad that you’ve had to give yours up.
I love the idea that you are willing to share your wealth of information. I found myself scrolling through your notes last night wondering what treasures I’d uncover to incorporate in my own gardens. With many thanks. Sheri
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May 9, 2014 at 11:51 am
yes dear I have an experience of 25 years and my blog is designed to help gardener with relevant images for identification and with most relevant information I gather from resources
thanks
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May 9, 2014 at 11:56 am
I love the fragrance of Jasmine, unfortunately my husband is allergic to it. But I can enjoy the beauty of it here. Photo so vivid, I can almost smell it. 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Oh dear so lovely
thank you so much 🙂
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May 8, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Hello, in Málaga (Spain) men make some fragant bouquets with jasmine, ( they are called “biznaga”) and the women wear them on your hair. You can see them in Google: “Biznaga”.
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May 11, 2014 at 3:09 pm
oh lovely dear i will check it definitely dear
thank you so much 🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 4:07 pm
:))
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May 11, 2014 at 7:32 pm
🙂
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May 11, 2014 at 7:32 pm
Reblogged this on Ajaytao 2010 and commented:
Tabernaemontana divaricata – Crape Jasmine – Ajaytao
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May 18, 2014 at 8:14 am