Stephanotis Facts
Many people are not familiar with stephanotis facts, but have seen the lovely white exotic flower at weddings. This is because the fragrant bloom is very popular for use in wedding bouquets and corsages, but not seen in great quantities in other aspects.
The stephanotis is a waxy textured flower that is found abundantly in Madagascar as well as tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. A member of the milkweed family, the stephanotis facts of its intense perfume leads people to think it may actually be of the jasmine family; indeed, a common name for the flower is the Madagascar Jasmine.
Pristine white is the only color the stephanotis wears. The white takes on different hues as the flower begins to wane; turning an off white to pale yellow as it fade. The stephanotis, facts show, blooms from early summer to early fall; the blossoms are available year round for use, however. The blossoms themselves are extremely fragile, and will bruise easily if not handled carefully. When cutting blooms, they will last approximately two days when used in corsages and bouquets, but up to five days if they are placed in water displays.
The stephanotis is such a beautiful and wonderfully scented flower that many may wish to grow their own. Although the plant is an exotic, it can be successfully grown in the United States; having a few stephanotis facts that detail the specifics of the plant’s needs is a helpful step.
Warm, tropical regions will do well planting the stephanotis anywhere they please; the plant is successfully grown in hardiness zones 10 and 11. However, there is a way that people outside of the hardiness zones mentioned can grow the stephanotis; facts indicate that the plant does grow very well in greenhouse conditions. Window box greenhouses would provide the perfect environment for the flower, but if even that is not possible, simply keeping the plant indoors in a sunny and warm location will suffice. The stephanotis has a climbing tendency, so include a trellis in the container with the plant to enable it to spread out. Devoting a window space specifically to the stephanotis will reward you with the dark green, glossy leaves that will provide an ideal frame for the white perfumed blossoms, shaped like bright stars, that will appear from springtime to early fall.
When keeping a stephanotis indoors, a few tips on stephanotis facts regarding their likes and dislikes are good to remember. Once the ideal spot is found in your home for the stephanotis, leave it there. Stephanotis plants do not like to be moved, and may suffer trauma readjusting to a new environment. Water the plant so that the root ball is never allowed to dry, but do not saturate. While the plant is actively growing, fertilize every few weeks to promote continued growth. Loving humid conditions, the stephanotis will respond well to its leaves being misted during the summer. The flowers, however, should not be included in the misting.
Stephanotis is an extremely popular flower used at weddings, often referred to as the bridal flower. Many have admired the fragrant blooms without knowing what they might be, or how they may obtain them. These stephanotis facts should serve to help those who wish to grow this exotic beauty and enjoy its wonderful fragrance in their own home.