Tabernaemontana divaricata: The Fragrant Crape Jasmine

The Pinwheel Flower Shrub

Tabernaemontana divaricata, commonly called Crape Jasmine or Crepe Jasmine, is a beloved evergreen shrub native to India and Southeast Asia. Its waxy, pinwheel-shaped flowers and glossy foliage make it a staple in tropical and subtropical gardens worldwide.

Botanical Profile

Elegant Year-Round Beauty

This rounded shrub grows 6-10 feet tall and wide with dense, glossy, deep green leaves 4-6 inches long. The flowers are the highlight: pure white, waxy, 5-petaled pinwheels 1.5-2 inches across, often double-flowered in cultivation, with a delicious gardenia-like fragrance that intensifies at night. Blooms appear in clusters year-round in warm climates.

Crape Jasmine thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-draining, slightly acidic soil. It's moderately drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular moisture. Hardy in zones 9-11; in cooler areas, it's a magnificent container plant for seasonal outdoor display and winter indoor culture.

Cultural & Landscape Value

Widely used in Hindu religious ceremonies and traditional medicine. In landscapes, it serves as a fragrant hedge, screen, specimen, or foundation planting. The night fragrance makes it ideal near patios, windows, and evening seating areas. Responds well to pruning. Attracts night-flying pollinators. A classic tropical garden essential.