Star jasmine

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering is strongest in sun. Afternoon shade helps in very hot, dry gardens.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then deeply during prolonged dry spells. Established plants tolerate some drought; containers need more frequent watering.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil that retains some moisture; tolerates a range of soil textures and pH levels but dislikes waterlogging.

Height

10-20 ft (3-6 m) with support

Spread

6-10 ft (1.8-3 m), potentially wider as groundcover

Flowers

Late spring into summer; clusters of small, white, pinwheel-shaped flowers with a strong, sweet scent.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy, dark green, oval leaves held in opposite pairs. Leaves may turn bronze or reddish in cold weather.

Growth

Moderate once established; often slow during its first year or two.

Care needed

Low

• Provide wires or a sturdy trellis and tie young stems in loosely; it twines but does not cling to bare walls.
• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to begin drying between waterings.
• Apply compost and a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring if growth is weak; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Mulch over the root area, keeping mulch clear of the main stems.
• In colder gardens, choose a sheltered, sunny wall; protect container roots from freezing or overwinter the pot somewhere bright and frost-free.

Pruning. After the main flowering flush, shorten overlong shoots and tie retained stems onto their support. Remove frost-killed or damaged growth in spring once new growth shows which stems are alive.

Spring

Plant when severe frost has passed, or repot container plants if their roots are crowded.

Spring

Remove winter damage, refresh mulch and feed lightly if needed.

Late spring

Tie new shoots to supports before they become tangled.

Summer

Water during dry spells, checking containers especially often.

After flowering

Trim to fit the available space and take semi-ripe cuttings.

Late autumn

Move vulnerable pots under cover in cold climates and check that outdoor ties are secure.

• Train over a pergola or entrance arch where the flowers can be smelled at close range.
• Cover trellis panels beside a terrace to provide an evergreen screen without the bulk of a hedge.
• Grow against a sheltered courtyard wall with roses or clematis for contrasting flower shapes.
• Use as groundcover on a well-drained bank, trimming edges and keeping stems out of nearby shrubs.
• Train onto an obelisk in a large container beside a sunny doorway.

Garden styles it suits: Modern courtyard, Mediterranean, Romantic rose garden, Sensory garden, White garden and Small-space.

Plant it with: Roses, Clematis, Agapanthus and Lilyturf.

Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other nectar-feeding insects. Dense established growth can provide shelter for small birds.

• Scale insects can cause sticky honeydew and black sooty mould. Remove small infestations by hand and use a labelled horticultural oil if needed, following temperature restrictions on the label.
• Spider mites may cause pale stippling and fine webbing in hot, dry conditions, especially under cover. Rinse leaf undersides and avoid letting the rootball dry out completely.
• Waterlogged roots can lead to yellowing, wilting and root rot. Improve drainage, reduce watering and never leave containers standing in water.
• Frost and cold winds can scorch leaves or kill shoots. Use a sheltered position, protect vulnerable pots and wait until spring growth appears before pruning damaged stems.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs or horses, and not generally considered poisonous to people. Leaves, flowers and stems are not regarded as seriously toxic, but the plant is not edible. Its milky sap can irritate skin or eyes, and swallowing plant material may cause stomach upset; wear gloves when pruning.

• Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)

  Usually has smaller leaves and smaller, cream flowers with yellowish centres; it is often grown as groundcover and may flower less freely.

• Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale)

  Has divided leaves made up of several leaflets, rather than star jasmine's simple, leathery leaves. It is usually deciduous or semi-evergreen.

• Chilean jasmine (Mandevilla laxa)

  Has larger, funnel-shaped white flowers and softer leaves, and is usually deciduous in cooler climates rather than reliably evergreen.

The common name refers to the star-like flowers and jasmine-like scent, while jasminoides means 'resembling jasmine'.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and root them in a free-draining propagation mix with gentle humidity. Layer a low stem into the soil and separate it once it has rooted.

Accepted botanical name

Trachelospermum jasminoides

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Tibet and Vietnam.

Measured

Soil pH 5.5 to 7. Average height 530 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.