The most celebrated flower in Vietnam, Ochna integerrima blooms profusely on the occasion of 'Tet', the Vietnamese New Year. A must for exotic plant collection, this is a rather slow growing, medium size shrub that can be trained into miniature tree. In winter the plant is covered with pretty bright yellow flowers, believed to bring good luck and prosperity. They are followed by cute shiny black berries on bright red sepals that resemble the face of Mickey Mouse. The plant is easy to grow and relatively cold hardy (to light freeze).
O. integerrima differs by having wider leaves with bristle-bearing margins rather than sharp teeth of narrow-leaved O. serrulata.
Hybrid variety Ochna Alba (Vietnamese name 'Bach Mai' meaning literally 'White Ochna') is very rare and does not produce seeds.
One of the most impressive climbing plants which also grows well in subtropical climates. Woody vine with large fragrant white flowers resembling lilies, and lush tropical foliage. A strong growing climber which can reach 10' to 20' (3m to 6m) in full sun. Large, highly fragrant flowers appear in trusses particularly during the cool season in tropical climates. The leaves are glossy and dark green on the upper leaf surface, on the lower leaf surface they are hairy. Young shoots are also covered with brown hairs.
The Easter Lily Vine is considered to be a tropical plant, while some people say it is hardy to light frost. However, cold winter or lack of heat/light could be the reason why it doesn't want to bloom. Try to apply bloom-booster fertilizer during hot season (according to instructions, and do not over-fertilize!). Even here in subtropical Florida it is not easy to make it bloom. While in Thailand these plants are almost in every garden and bloom like crazy.
Another very close species with slightly smaller leaves - Beaumontia murtonii.
