How to grow, prune and propagate jasmine

What you need to know about star jasmine

Name: star jasmine, Chinese jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

Height: ground cover to approx. 1m untrained; not rampant

Foliage: glossy mid-green, thick leaves; new growth is lime green.

Climate: temperate to tropical; will not grow in cold areas; does not tolerate frost.

Soil: well-drained loam with compost added before planting.

Position: full sun to part shade; can tolerate full shade, but flowering will be reduced.

Flowering: masses of white pinwheel flowers 3cm across; fragrant.

Feeding: use a long-term controlled-release fertiliser.

Watering: water well until established, and when conditions are hot and dry.

Appearance and characteristics of jasmine

Chinese star jasmine (known simply as star jasmine) is the most popular form of jasmine. This striking vine can be trained to grow vertically over wires and trellising, as well as horizontally, to create carpets of bright green covered with white, star-shaped flowers. It is a non-invasive, evergreen, twining vine that can be grown as a ground cover or screening plant, trained to cover a trellis or grown up wires. Its mature leaves are glossy mid to dark green and reasonably thick, while its new growth is bright lime green. The combination of bright and mid greens with the abundance of white flowers creates a stunning visual effect as a carpet or “green wall”.

Polyantha or pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is a hardy and vigorous climber that produces masses of pink buds opening to white flowers. It needs severe pruning each year to keep it within bounds, and has developed a reputation as an asthma and hayfever allergen.

Primrose jasmine (Jasminum mesney) is less vigorous than other jasmines, but still needs regular pruning to restrain it. Its yellow flowers appear in late winter and early spring. Widely grown in the 1960s and 70s, it’s not often seen in nurseries these days.

Uses for jasmine

Planted in a row, about 1.5m apart, star jasmine plants can be trained and clipped as a 60cm–1m high hedge. It looks fabulous as the intermediate height in formal hedge borders, behind clipped English box and in front of clipped murraya (orange jessamine) or Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata).

How to grow jasmine

Star jasmine is freely available in a range of sizes from most plant retailers.  The larger the plant, the faster it will establish and grow.

1. Before planting, decide how you want your star jasmine to grow:
   
   • Do you want it to grow naturally as a low ground cover/shrub?
   • Are you planning a hedge of star jasmine?
   • Will you trail it as a climber over a framework of wires or trellis?
   • Do you want it to cascade down from the top of a terrace or rockery?

2. Look at how much sun the plant will get. Star jasmine thrives in full sun, tolerates partial shade and survives in full shade—but the greater the shade, the fewer the flowers.
3. Having chosen a site, your soil preparation needs to be appropriate for where and how the plant or plants will grow. When planting a hedge or intending to cover a large expanse of wall or terrace, you will need several plants to create the desired effect. Spacing the plants between 60cm and 1m apart will give generous coverage.
4. Prepare trenches or individual holes by digging the soil over to break it up and forking through some compost or well-weathered manure. Add a 12-month all-purpose controlled-release fertiliser at the rate recommended on the label. Planting holes should comfortably hold the root ball without roots being cramped. Don’t set plants too deeply—the top of the potting mix should be at soil level when the plant is firmed into its permanent growing position.
5. Water in well and keep moist (but not wet) for the next few weeks.

Star jasmine can be slow to settle in and start growing, but once its roots spread out into the soil, it will take off.

Growing jasmine in pots

Star jasmine can be grown in pots or tubs and trained up verandah posts or over trellising to screen out unsightly views. Use a premium-quality potting mix and add a six-month controlled-release fertiliser for flowering plants at the start of each spring and autumn.

Potted climbers can be difficult to re-pot, so it’s best to start with a reasonably large tub or half wine barrel and then simply top up the potting mix every year or so to refresh it.

Jasmine plant care

Watering

In the first year after planting, don’t allow star jasmine to dry out, especially if the weather is hot. A deep watering every few days will keep the roots moist, but not too wet. Mulch around plants to keep the soil cool over summer.

Feeding

Apply a six-month controlled-release fertiliser at the start of spring and autumn each year to keep garden plants healthy and vigorous.

Tips for pruning jasmine

Jasmine can be pruned immediately after flowering to allow the development of growth for the next flowering season.

1. Prune dead and unhealthy stems, along with stems that no longer produce flowers.
2. Prune tangled stems and branches growing away from the supporting structure.
3. Prune as needed to obtain the desired shape.

Tips for propagating jasmine

When to propagate jasmine

Jasmine will do best when transplanted outside when temperatures average 21°C. Seedlings can be started indoors three months before transplanting time, while cuttings should be made around one month before transplanting.

Growing jasmine from seeds

1. Soak seeds 24 hours before sowing.
2. Fill your pots with soil and soak the soil. Allow it to drain.
3. Sow one seed into each pot.
4. Cover with plastic and place in direct sunlight.
5. Keep soil moist.
6. Re-pot into planters when seedlings grow two pairs of true leaves.
7. Transplant outside one month after re-potting.

Growing jasmine from cuttings

1. Make cuttings of stem tips. Cuttings should be about 6in long and cut directly below a leaf.
2. Strip bottom leaves.
3. Dip in rooting hormone.
4. Plant in a planter filled with damp sand.
5. Cover with plastic and place in direct sunlight.
6. Transplant into potting soil once roots have formed (about one month after cutting).
7. Transplant into garden once roots have strengthened.

Diseases and pests

Star jasmine may occasionally be attacked by aphids on soft new growth. Treat with an insecticidal soap or pyrethrum-based spray if required.

If you like this then try

Murraya: tropical to warm temperate evergreen shrub ideal for hedging; has small, white perfumed flowers.

Bougainvillea: If you're looking for a plant with vibrant colours to bring a tropical look to your garden, then you can't go past bougainvillea.

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