Do you ever admire the large houses with fantastic landscapes that can be found in garden magazines? In many of these photos, the star jasmine should be one of the main features. Not only does it have a knock-out name, but this vine is definitely a show stopper.
The great charm of star jasmine lies in its flowers. Large tufts of the most delicate white flowers appear in late spring. They bring a sweet fragrance that attracts bees and gardeners alike. Glossy, dark green leaves on thin brown stems serve as the background for the flowers. The new foliage is light green and darkens as it matures, giving the foliage a beautifully structured look.
This vine is also called Confederate Jasmine and grows very full and is extremely versatile. It usually grows as a climbing plant. You can put it on a grate, a fence, a wall or whatever else you have. Confederate jasmine can also be trained to grow as a shrub, ground cover, or even as a hanging tub plant.
If I haven't convinced you how great this plant is, imagine the following: it's super easy. Star jasmine is generally not picky about its conditions. It is low-maintenance and pest-free. What more could you ask for in such a breathtaking plant?
Good products for Star Jasmine Care:
quick start Guide
The white flowers of the star jasmine smell sweet. Source: Yewchan
| Common names | Star jasmine, confederate jasmine, Chinese ivy, Chinese jasmine |
| Scientific name | Trachelospermum jasminoides |
| family | Apocynaceae |
| Height & spread | 2 bis to 30 # long vines, can be trained vertically or as ground cover |
| light | Partial sun and shade |
| ground | Well draining, slightly acidic |
| water | Weekly; when the floor starts to dry out |
| Pests & diseases | Flour bugs, rabbits, soot mold |
All about Trachelospermum jasminoides
The star chameleon variety has colorful leaves. Source: Andesine
Trachelospermum jasminoides is native to China and Japan. Surprisingly, however, it is not a real jasmine plant. This deceptively named vine belongs to the Apocynaceae family, which also includes evergreen, spurge and hoya. It is also related to the staple flower species, the flowers of which smell like rotten flesh. This is a complete contrast to the sweet smelling white flowers of star jasmine!
The size of these plants depends on how you grow them. As a shrub, it is usually kept 3 to 6 feet tall and wide. It can also be included as ground cover up to 2 feet above the ground. Star jasmine can climb to 30 feet or more on your own!
This fragrant jasmine grows evergreen in zones 8-11. In colder areas, it is ideal as an indoor / outdoor container plant or annual.
These plants grow quickly so that they expand quickly and fill every space in the garden that they are allowed to occupy. An alternative to its deep green foliage is the colorful shape "Chameleon" with creamy light yellow stripes on the leaves.
Star jasmine care
You shouldn't have any trouble making your star jasmine the way it really is. But just in case, here are some maintenance tips that will really help you take off your plant.
Light & temperature
The foliage of Trachelospermum jasminoides is lively green and shiny. Source: Douneika
This fragrant jasmine loves the full sun conditions … but it's not as pleasant as the heat that goes with them. When the temperature rises near you, provide some shade in the afternoon. They can also grow in partial shade as long as they have a lot of indirect bright light.
Star jasmine, on the other hand, can withstand temperatures up to 22 ° C. As soon as the weather drops below 32 °, its leaves turn bronze, but many consider this an attractive feature. If you are in a colder climate than in zone 8, you should be prepared for your plant to hibernate indoors. It works best in zones 8-10.
Water & humidity
Star jasmine is not a water eater, but requires a uniform irrigation plan. Give your plant a drink when the soil starts to dry. Depending on the weather, water approximately every week. In the summer, increase the watering frequency to keep your plants hydrated.
ground
Trachelospermum jasminoides adapts to most types of soil. His preference is loamy and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. It is important that the floor does not become too mushy. This can easily lead to root rot and bacterial growth in most plants, including star jasmine.
fertilizer
You only need to fertilize if the soil contains no organic substances or if the plant shows signs of a lack of nutrients (yellowed leaves). Apply a balanced long-term fertilizer in spring to promote new growth. Fertilize only established jasmine vine plants, not newly planted ones.
If you prefer compost, mix it into the soil before using the jasmine vine. Then lightly cover the top of the soil with an inch or two each winter to retain moisture and provide nutrients.
repotting
Side view of a group of white star-shaped jasmine flowers. Source: Bahamutzero
Plant your jasmine vine in spring or early autumn so that it can establish itself before winter. You can repot it during the summer, but the adaptation plant needs more water and care at this point. Choose a container that is twice the size of your jasmine star. This plant grows so quickly that it fills its place in no time. If you want your potted vine to climb, put a grate in the ground before planting.
Since it is a large plant, take your jasmine star from the side of the old container, with the plant lying on the ground. When the roots are packed, gently loosen them with your fingers. Plant the star jasmine in its new container and fill the empty spaces with fresh soil. If you are using a grid, carefully wrap the tendrils on the grid so that it can climb better.
proliferation
Star jasmine reproduces best in summer through cuttings. Use a clean hair clipper and cut 4 inches long just below a leaf knot. The cutting must be healthy, juicy and preferably free of flowers. Dip the end in powdered or liquid root hormone and plant it upright in well-draining soil.
It takes about 2-3 weeks for the cutting to take root, and another 3-4 weeks for it to be ready for transplanting. Always keep the soil moist during this time and keep the container in the shade. After planting in the garden, pay special attention to the baby plant and give it plenty of water.
clipping
Trachelospermum jasminoides spreads by sending runners rooted where they touch the ground. If you want your grapevine to be kept in a specific location, shorten these runners. Because the roots grow deep, pruning is much easier than digging out the rooted segments later.
If you grow your star jasmine as ground cover, you may not want to cut back the runners. The newly rooted plants help keep your ground cover lush and evergreen. It will also reduce the need to plant jasmine in bare spots. You may actually want to encourage your vine to gain a foothold in these bare areas by burying parts of the vine.
The ideal cutting time is when the white flowers of your plants have faded. Remove dead, sick, unsightly or disturbing vines in the garden. Meanwhile, save healthy newspaper clippings from which you can spread out!
Troubleshooting
A star jasmine trained to fill in a grid. Source: Chuck b.
Overall, star jasmine is mostly pest and disease free. Unfortunately, this plant is not bulletproof. Here are some rare problems that can occur with your star jasmine.
Growing problems
In some gardens, this fragrant jasmine can become invasive. If you plan to have a large room, this shouldn't be a problem. However, if your Confederate Jasmine is confined to a small space with other smaller plants nearby, it can go beyond its limits. You need to cut it back regularly to keep control.
Sun exposure is ideal for your plants unless you get up in the nineties. During these hot sunny periods, it is best to donate penumbra, especially during the hot afternoon hours. Your plants can wither if they are exposed to too much scorching sun in the middle of summer. If they have water, they usually wake up as soon as the heat drops.
pests
Infestation of flour bugs will weaken the vine as it sucks the juice from the leaves and causes damage. If the pests on your star jasmine are already at home, loosen them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and pick them out. A backflow can be prevented by spraying regularly with neem oil.
Confederate jasmine can move Rabbits in your garden. They don't usually do enough damage to seriously injure the plant, but you can lose a few leaves here and there. The fragrant white flowers and lush green leaves attract you!
Diseases
Sooty mold develops on honeydew secreted by some insects. It is a fungus that spreads dark spots on the leaves. The mold itself does not harm the plant, but it can block the sun and make photosynthesis more difficult. Prevent this fungal growth by keeping your star jasmine free of pests. Use water to remove the mold to rinse the leaves. Neem oil can prevent regrowth.
frequently asked Questions
Fragrant star jasmine in nursery pots, with support for climbing upwards. Source: Wallygrom
Q: Does star jasmine need a grid?
A: Only if you want it to climb up. This garden vine can also be trained as a shrub or ground cover! A dab of white, fragrant flowers on their shiny, evergreen foliage creates a beautiful and thick "carpet".
Q: Is Confederate Jasmine Toxic?
On a! This garden climber is child and animal friendly.
Q: Is star jasmine evergreen?
A: Unless the temperature drops below freezing. It can develop bronze leaves at this point and then suffer serious damage at around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are in a climate where temperatures are regularly below freezing, take your plants out of the garden during the cold season.
The green thumbs behind this article:
Rachel Garcia
Juicy fanatic
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
