With this beautiful flower you can create fences, walls and pergolas in your garden. But first of all, you need to figure out which variety to choose, as there is a huge selection.
There are evergreen or deciduous types, as well as woody stem shrubs. Choose from a variety of flowers, in the shape of stars, white, yellow or pink which grow in beautiful clusters. Some bloom in winter and others in summer, so selecting the one that best suits you is essential.
There are also internal and external species. When it comes to outdoor activities, this is a great plant. The sturdiest stems will curl and grow over any available fence, pergola, or archway. You can also get shrubs that are good for hedges.
The more delicate ones can be grown indoors with support hoops, in a conservatory or greenhouse, as they need protection. And your fragrance will perfume the place.
When it comes to growing jasmine, the most important piece of advice is choose the right type for the space you have in mind. That means checking how tall it will grow, how far it will spread, and how hardy it is. And from there, everything gets easier.
Quick Tips:
Here are some important tips:
- Plant in moist but well-draining soil enriched with organic matter.
- Choose a space that is in full sun, as it helps in its development. However, some species tolerate shade.
- Provide supports for these sturdy vines, such as trellises or wires.
- Feed weekly with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
- Autumn mulching with well-rotted manure or foliage to add a protective layer is ideal.
- Cut them after flowering.
The most popular:
The true jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a vigorous plant with clusters of fragrant white flowers in summer. It likes well-draining soil in a sheltered spot that gets full sun. It grows quickly and is ideal for covering walls or fences.
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) has bright yellow flowers on its arching stems in winter and early spring, which are not fragrant. It is a great option to brighten up the garden. It is often grown as a hedge or against a wall. It is happy in most situations, in full sun or partial shade.
And, finally, the jasmine-dos-poets (Jasminum polyanthum) is excellent for decorating the house with very fragrant white flowers in late winter and spring. It can also be positioned on a trellis in a conservatory, enclosed porch or heated greenhouse.
Is it easy to grow?
By selecting the right type for the environment you have, growing successfully won’t be a problem. Generally it is a hardy shrub that is happy wherever it is placed, preferably in full sun, but some thrive in dappled shade as well.
Jasmine does not tend to suffer from pests or diseases, but remember that protection from cold temperatures is one of the most important things to consider.
What’s the best place?
You can plant in a sunny, warm, sheltered spot, preferably framing a doorway or near outdoor seating where you can enjoy the scent. The summer flowering jasmine does well in sunny spaces and the winter one under the shelter of a wall facing north, so in case of frost or snow it can thaw slowly and the flowers will not turn brown.
Winter-flowering varieties like partial shade best. If you want to put garden ideas into practice, plant it near a wall or fence with adequate support for it to cling to. Trellises are also an option, set it in a large pot with an obelisk or trellis so it can drag up and down.
You can also try to grow it and cross a tree to create an attractive feature.
See too
How to cultivate?
Plant summer jasmine in spring or fall and winter jasmine in fall or winter. Before starting the process, check labels carefully to understand individual demands.
Dig a planting hole and put well-rotted manure or compost in the bottom. In heavy soils, add plenty of sand to improve drainage. Plant summer jasmine, such as true jasmine, in a sunny, sheltered, warm place. They do not like areas subject to cold or freezing and can be placed in containers or in the ground.
For winter jasmine, sun or partial shade is best and no support is needed.
Keep tender types indoors in a warm, bright place like a conservatory. You can also move them outside in the summer, but to a warm, sheltered area, and bring them back inside if the temperature drops at night.
Can they thrive in containers?
As long as the flower is grown in well-draining soil and receives plenty of sun and water, it does well in containers. Try placing the pot against a sunny wall.
A clay-based compost is a good choice, as it holds water well, as well as having added nutrients. The plant will need good drainage in the winter, so move it to a drier place and place supports at the base of the container so that any excess water drains away.
During the growing season, a potassium-rich liquid feed such as tomato fertilizer should be offered once a month. If repotting, use fresh compost in the spring to rejuvenate it for the growing season.
How long does it grow?
There are varieties that develop super fast. the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) has the fastest growth and will cover walls, railings and fences in the blink of an eye. While it can grow up to 30 feet tall, it still needs support or it will fail, so make sure you have a trellis.
How to care?
Care is a crucial part. Feed weekly with a high-potassium fertilizer in the summer, tying the shoots to their supports as you go. Jasmines in the ground can be given a general purpose granular fertilizer in the spring.
Water the newly planted plants regularly until they are well established. In-ground species should not require additional watering unless the weather is scorching hot, but keep an eye on development as they need regular watering throughout the growing season.
Indoors need regular watering during the growing season, but only light watering in the winter.
In the fall, mulching around the base with well-rotted manure or compost will help retain moisture in the soil, preventing weeds from taking hold and helping to insulate the roots.
How to prune?
This is a fundamental task. By pruning them annually, you can keep them healthy and contained and improve their appearance if they become tangled and untidy. This must be done after flowering ends.
Follow these basic tips:
Winter and summer jasmine should be pruned after flowering to allow a new growth season to mature and flower early next season. Cut a strong side shoot further down. Get rid of any dead wood or damaged stems.
Vigorous plants can grow quite large, but can be cut back hard to rejuvenate and keep themselves in check. As such, both can be given a nice pruning if they have grown too big for their original planting location.
As with pruning clematis, trimming the species is a vital part. If you forget, in a year or two you’ll have old wood choking out new branches, which means you’ll end up with a messy-looking mass of dry branches.
Development from seeds
If you want new seedlings from seed, wait until they are mature and dry. Soak them in warm water overnight to help them germinate faster, then sow them in seed compost and cover with a light layer of soil.
For germination to happen, make sure you keep the soil moist. The time for this process depends on the type chosen, but is usually around 4 to 6 weeks.
Development from a cut
External jasmine species must be propagated from hardwood cuttings. Greenhouse plants perform best from softwood or from semi-ripe cuttings harvested in spring or summer.
See important tips:
Look for flexible new growth. Measure 10 cm and make a cut below a pair of leaves. Remove the lower leaves and remove all flower buds.
Dip two-thirds of the cutting in hormone rooting powder. Place several in a small pot with half compost and half sand.
Cover with a polyethylene bag and leave in the shade, in a cool space. Remove the bag once the cut is established.
jasmine on fences
Climbing jasmine with summer flowers are ideal for covering fences, walls and around other structures such as pergolas and arbors. Training them will maximize the visual impact of your seedling, and if you don’t, you’ll get confused and overwhelm other flowers.
Plastic ties or garden twine can be used to secure the plant to the trellis. Alternatively, you can weave it through the gaps in the support as they grow, but you’ll need to keep an eye out and check progress regularly.
The best time to trim is in late winter, before the growing season begins. Maintain a neat appearance and encourage growth by popping in regularly to contain the messy bits.
Jasmine indoors
You might not think of jasmine as one of the best indoor bouquets, but it has a scent that makes it perfect for naturally scenting your home.
As not all have a fragrance, be on the lookout for jasminum polyanthum, the most common indoor variety, which has a deliciously sweet scent.
For the best result, give her some vacation time outdoors in a sunny space during the summer so she can fully recharge her batteries.
Indoors, make sure it doesn’t get too hot and don’t let the soil dry out. It should be kept in a cool, well-lit, but unheated place. The soil must be porous and moist. Feed once a month during spring with a low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer.
Have an internal trellis to keep them in check and make a regular cut with the best shears to keep the shapes.
common problems
Jasmine is generally okay as long as it is planted in the right conditions. Many are not fully hardy, so they won’t be happy with cold temperatures.
Outdoor ones suffer little from pests and diseases, although you may see aphids on…