Some jasmines may twine to some
extent, but as a group they’re really in the category of shrubs. Some have
long, arching stems, however, and are therefore grown as vines. They’re very
popular in warm climates, where they’re usually evergreen and bear lovely
flowers in spring or summer sometimes even in winter; many are extremely
fragrant. Common jasmine (Jasminum Officinale) is vigorous and hardy to Zone 7.
It will grow to 30 feet; very fragrant white flowers appear in summer. Winter
jasmine (J. nudiflorum) grows much less tall and is hardy to Zone 6.
Yellow flowers which are not
fragrant, appear before the leaves in early spring in cooler climates, in
winter in warm ones. Pink jasmine (J. polyanthum), whose flowers are more white
than pink, has small, dainty leaves and starts blooming in winter in warm
climates; it is hardy only to Zone 8 to 9 but can be grown successfully indoors
and is very fragrant. Many jasmines in fact, make good container plants,
indoors or out. Some of the larger ones make good, dense, fragrant hedges. There’re
many other jasmines worth exploring, especially if you live in a warm
climate. The plant called “star jasmine”
(Trachelospermum jasminoides) is actually not a jasmine. It is evergreen bears
fragrant white flowers in spring and summer and is a good screening plant in
frost free regions.
How to Grow Jasmine
Jasmines prefer sun, though some
may do well in part shade. Any well drained, light loam is suitable as long as
there is some moisture. Most need pruning to keep them within bounds. With
indoor plants especially it is important to cut them back hard after blooming
to encourage branching and more bloom. The stems must be anchored to their
supports. Propagate from cuttings or by layering.
