How to grow Trachelospermum Jasminoides
Trachelospermum jasminoides, or Star Jasmine, is an evergreen climbing shrub. This special climber has glossy foliage that transforms from green to red in the winter and Trachelospermum jasminoides is well-known for its star-shaped white, pink or yellow flowers. Native to southern and eastern Asia, Trachelospermum can also be grown in containers, borders or up walls and obelisks.
Trachelospermum is notoriously fast-growing, expanding several feet annually with a maximum height 8m in its native environment – in the UK it can reach heights of 2.4m and has a 60cm in spread. Trachelospermum jasminoides loves sun and warmth and its flowers regularly attract planet-saving pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
As well as beautiful foliage and pinwheel-shaped blossoms, Trachelospermum jasminoides is well-known for its highly fragrant Jasmine scent. Trachelospermum takes 5-10 years to fully mature, though it should flower in its first season, and you will see blooms from your flowers in the spring and summer months.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Trachelospermum Jasminoides
Trachelospermum jasminoides enjoys a position with plenty of sun - around 4 hours a day - and shelter from cold winds. However, they are also prone to sun scorch. In the early growth stages, you will need to consider where you would like your Trachelospermum jasminoides to climb, as it will need training and tying-in while it establishes. If you decide to grow Trachelospermum jasminoides on a wall, obelisk or around a post, you will end up with a striking archway with a cascade of flowers!
How to plant Trachelospermum Jasminoides
Start by choosing a position in your garden that benefits from at least partial sun – preferable one that is shaded from the intense sun of midday. Prepare the soil and make sure it is well-draining - add chalk or sand to the soil to aid this. As a climbing plant, you will need to prepare either trellis or a method of tying in stems to guide them up
Take your young plant and dig a hole that is at least 2-3 times bigger than the current plant, to enable the roots to spread and establish
Add your plant to the soil, backfill and water in. If planting multiple Trachelospermum jasminoides, leave a space of at least 90cm between each to allow the roots to grow
Water Trachemlospermum jasminoides freely, ensuring sure that it has plenty of access to moist soil to help it establish
What to plant with Trachelospermum Jasminoides
As a successful climber, you could pair your Trachelospermum jasminoides with similar climbers. With Trachelospermum’s pretty white star-shaped flowers, you can add a climber such as Clematis which will add deep purples to your trellis. Other evergreen climbing plants include sweet-smelling pink Honeysuckle and eye-catching Wisteria plants.
How to care for Trachelospermum Jasminoides
Pruning & Deadheading
As a late-flowering evergreen shrub, regular pruning for Trachelopsermum jasminoides is not necessary. However, you may wish to prune in mid-late spring after the frost and cut back any unsightly or wilting leaves and stems. You can deadhead Trachelospermum once the flowering period has ended.
Watering
You can water Trachelospermum jasminoides freely when growing, as long as the soil can drain effectively. In cold and rainy winter months you can safely leave the compost to dry before adding water again.
Cold Protection
As a frost-hardy plant, Trachelospermum jasminoides can tolerate temperatures as low as -10°C if sheltered. If the frost is severe or the temperatures drop below this, you can add a layer of dry mulch to the bottom of the plant.
Pests & Diseases
Trachelospermum jasminoides is not known to suffer from any major pests or diseases. However, as with many plants, root rot can cause a problem - this occurs if the plant is in standing water. Too much sunlight, insufficient water or poor soil may also cause leaf scorch.
How to propagate Trachelospermum Jasminoides
The best way to propagate Star Jasmine is by taking and growing semi-hardwood cuttings. Using clean and sterilised scissors, cut 25-30cm from a healthy vine that is not yet hardwood in the autumn after flowering.
Add your cutting(s) to water (standing in a cup of water) to prevent a loss of moisture and trim your 30cm long piece into several shorter stems with at least two sets of leaves on each.
Remove leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and gently scrape the lower 2-3cm of the stem to damage the plant and encourage regrowth. This does not mean cutting it away - simply scrape off the top layer of the stem.
Add each cutting to a separate pot of cutting soil thus giving them enough room to grow their roots. Add water to the soil and put each pot into shaded and controlled conditions indoors. Once the new roots have established, the rooted cuttings can be planted outdoors in their final position.
Common Trachelospermum questions
Is Trachelospermum Jasminoides fast-growing?
Yes, Trachelospermum jasminoides has been known to grow up to 3-4 feet a year. Over Trachelospermum’s 5-10 years of maturity, it can grow up to 800cm in height - it will grow quicker in warm climates and slower in cool climates.
Is Trachelospermum Jasminoides hardy?
Trachelospermum jasminoides or ‘Star Jasmine’ is frost hardy down to -10°C. If grown in a container, you should bring your plant indoors over the winter to protect it from the elements. However, if your Trachelospermum is grown outside, you can add a layer of mulch to keep it thriving.
How do you look after Trachelospermum Jasminoides?
Trachelospermum can be watered freely as it is important that they do not dry out. In the winter, the plant only needs watering once the compost is dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, so be mindful!
