Jasmine is a low-maintenance climber loved by gardeners for its sweet scent which is released at dusk. It’s the National flower of Pakistan and has been cultivated for at least 2000 years. It is thought to be one of the first plants to be cultivated specifically for its perfume. And it is still, today, a popular ingredient in perfume and soap.
Plant Biography
BOTANICAL NAME
Jasminum officinale, Jasminum nudiflorum
COMMON NAME
Common Jasmine, common white Jasmine, jessamine, poet’s Jasmine, poet’s jessamine, summer Jasmine, and true Jasmine.
There is an evergreen climber whose common name is Star Jasmine. This does not belong to the Jasmine family but is listed under the genus Trachelospernum.
NATIVE TO
This plant is native to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China South-Central and East Himalaya.
DESCRIPTION
All Jasmine have small, star-shaped flowers, most of which are scented.
What type of plant is it?
Jasminum plants are either evergreen or deciduous climbers. Summer Jasmine is loved for its super sweetly scented, white, star-shaped flowers. Winter Jasmine, although not a true climber, can be trained to grow against walls. Plus it brightens up the winter garden with its bright yellow, unscented flowers.
What colours do Jasmine come in?
Jasmine flowers can be either white, and yellow or occasionally pink and red.
When do these plants flower?
Most Jasmine flower during the summer months but some, such as Jasminum nudiflorum flower during the winter months.
Where does it like to grow?
Hardy, summer flowering varieties of Jasmine grow well on a sheltered, sunny wall or fence with support wires. Winter Jasmine grows well in part shade as well as full sun.
Tender varieties, such as Jasminum polyanthum, need to be grown in a frost-free conservatory or greenhouse.
Where does it dislike to grow?
Avoid planting all types of this plant in heavy, badly drained soil.
Is this plant drought-tolerant?
Jasmine must be regularly well-watered during its first year, especially when growing in containers, and during periods of drought.
How to grow Jasmine successfully
- True Jasmine are members of the olive family (Oleaceae) and there are approximately 200 known species.
- Summer Jasmine will flower from June until early autumn; winter Jasmine from December until March.
- Most hardy Jasmine are easy to grow if given a well-drained, moisture-retentive soil and a sheltered site. Tender Jasmine needs to be given winter protection and are best grown in a conservatory or heated greenhouse. Jasmine grown in containers will require regular feeding and watering.
- Jasmine are relatively long-lived if given ideal growing conditions, often in excess of ten years.
- They will need support such as a sturdy trellis, fence or wall. Wooden trellis will generally rot after a few years and become difficult to maintain once the plant’s stems have colonised the trellis.
Do they require supports?
Yes. If growing on a wall Jasmine will need support wires, ideally tensioned, zinc-plated, vine eyes. These can be attached vertically or horizontally.
Is it good for pollinators?
Yes. Its flowers provide pollen and nectar for many types of pollinating insects.
Is it good for wildlife?
Birds can shelter amongst the thicket of climbing stems and bees and insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen.
How to choose the right variety for your garden
For part shade and winter flowers plant winter Jasmine which will grow in full sun or part shade. Additionally, they will happily scramble over established shrubs as well as trellis.
If you’d like a scented, summer flowering Jasmine for your partly shaded spot then plant Jasminum x stephanense. This is a vigorous, deciduous climber with pretty pale pink flowers appearing in June and July.
If you’re looking for a fast growing climber for full sun then try Jasminum ‘Sunbeam’. It has golden leaves and white, scented flowers during the summer months. Plant in full sun to obtain the brightest colour from the golden leaves.
One of the best tender Jasmine with scented flowers for a conservatory or heated greenhouse is Jasminum polyanthum (the chinese Jasmine). This variety produces bright pink flower buds opening into highly scented, white flowers in late winter and early spring.
How big will it get
Most of these plants have an ultimate height and spread of 12m by 2m.
How to plant Jasmine
Dig the planting hole and add well-rotted compost or organic manure to the bottom before planting. If the soil is heavy, add grit to the planting hole. Water the plant well before planting. Tease out the roots and plant at the same level as it was in its pot.
Insert a cane when planting, angled towards the trellis or support wires to encourage the plant to head in the right direction.
Firm the soil around the plant and water well at the base of the soil.
How to care for Jasmine
Prune immediately after flowering and tie in remaining stems onto the support wires during the autumn.
Feeding weekly with a high potash fertiliser during the summer months should help increase the number of flowers produced.
Cut back any wayward stems immediately after flowering and mulch around the base of the plant during the autumn. Do so with well-rotted organic matter such as manure or leaf mould.
Mulch around the base of the plant with well-rotted organic matter when the soil is moist during the autumn.
Do they spread?
Being a climber, this plant can spread and so stems should be tied in regularly as they grow.
How to keep it looking good
The best way to keep Jasmine looking good is to plant them in the right soil type and in the right location. This should be a free-draining, moisture-retentive soil in a sheltered location. Then, give your plant proper support to enable the long twining stems to be tied in. This should keep the plant looking neat and tidy.
Does Jasmine need deadheading?
Jasmine does not need deadheading.
Does it need pruning, and when should they be pruned?
Jasmine should be pruned to stop the stems spreading too much and to keep the plant looking tidy. Prune just after flowering, removing damaged or weak shoots. Overgrown plants can be pruned hard but may mean the plant produces little/no flowers for the following two years.
How to propagate these plants
An easy way to propagate this plant is by layering. Hardy varieties can also be propagated by taking hardwood cuttings. However, tender varieties are best propagated by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings during spring or summer months.
What problems can Jasmine have?
Jasmine does not generally suffer from serious pest or disease problems.
Leaves on outdoor less hardy varieties can turn brown, usually due to exposure to frost and or low temperatures. To avoid this, plant in a sheltered, sunny location, and cover with horticultural fleece when frost is predicted.
Hardy varieties can also suffer from aphids. Check the underside of leaves regularly from late spring and throughout summer. Birds will often feast on them, so encourage them into your garden.
Tender varieties being grown in a greenhouse or conservatory can suffer from red spider mite and mealy bug. Red spider mites can be prevented by raising humidity. In a greenhouse, this can be easily achieved by hosing down the floor in the morning and at lunchtime. And, in a conservatory, spray around the plant with a mister at regular intervals. Mealybugs can be controlled in a greenhouse by introducing biological controls. These are available from good Garden Centres and from online suppliers and in a conservatory by use of organic controls.
Varieties of Jasmine to have
Jasminum beesianum vigorous, semi-evergreen climber with scented, red-pink flowers in summer. Frost hardy but might get knocked back in harsh winters. Best to plant in a sheltered spot.
Jasminum ‘Argentovariegatum’ is a fast-growing climber with long stems pink and cream-coloured leaves. It produces scented white flowers during the summer months. It’s ideal for covering a large south-facing wall.
Jasminum angulare is an evergreen climber producing white flowers from July all the way through to November. But it is only half-hardy so would need overwintering indoors.
Best time of year to buy this plant
Plants are available in most plant nurseries and Garden Centres year-round. Summer Jasmine is best planted in spring or autumn, and winter Jasmine in autumn or winter.
The best garden design style for this plant
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David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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