Jasminum

( jazz - MIN - um )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs and vines needs full sun to light shade and moderate to regular water. Commonly called Jasmine, these plants take various forms and have different levels of fragrance. The plant that many people know as Jasmine is actually a species of a different genus, Trachelospermum. Use these eye-catching vines along fences, on trellises or gazebos, or simply as specimen plants near walkways and doors, where their fragrance can be truly admired.

Jasminum Species and Varietals

The genus Jasminum is a member of the plant family Oleaceae, and includes around 200 species. The genus name is derived from a Latinized form of the Persian word for sweet-scented plants, 'yasemin'. The best growing zones for Jasmine vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Jasminum adenophyllum (Bluegrape Jasmine, Pinwheel Jasmine, Princess Jasmine)
These plants are native to northeastern India, and are relatively rare in cultivation. These are fast-growing vines, with dark green glossy foliage on climbing stems. Flowers are white and large, and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies with their intense fragrance.

Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine, Angular Jasmine, Wild Jasmine)
This species is an evergreen vining shrub that grows well in zones 16-24 and H1. Native to South Africa, they grow 10-20 feet long vining stems and have green leaves and white flowers. The blossoms appear in groups of three in summertime and have a subtle sweet fragrance. Does not stand frost well.

Jasminum angustifolium (Wild Jasmine)
These evergreen vines and native to Sri Lanka and India. The species forms a climbing shrubby plant with smooth stems up to 20 feet long or tall. Leaves are dark green and glossy, and flowers are white, with 7-8 narrow petals. Bloom time is between June and August. Flowers from these plants are used in sacred floral offerings and perfumes.

Jasminum azoricum (Lemon-Scented Jasmine)
This evergreen vining shrub is native to the Azores and grows well in zones 17-24, H1 and H2. They reach 10-15 feet tall and have dark green foliage. White clusters of fragrant flowers appear in summertime.

Jasminum bignoniaceum (Kurumozhi, Pita)
These plants are native to Europe, and the species forms an erect shrubby plant with angular branches. Leaves are green and somewhat small, and flowers are tubular and yellow-golden, hanging down from branches. Blooms are produced from April through May, and are followed by dark round berries.

Jasminum floridum
This species is evergreen or semi-evergreen and native to China; it grows best in zones 4-9, 12-24, H1 and H2. Leaves are dark green and flowers are scentless, golden yellow, blooming in clusters in spring through fall.

Jasminum grandiflorum (Spanish Jasmine, Royal Jasmine, Catalan Jasmine, Sicilian Jasmine)
Native to Asia and widely naturalized around the world, these plants form scrambling deciduous shrubs that reach between 6.5 and 13 feet tall when mature. Flowers are white and fragrant.

Jasminum humile (Chryojasmine humile) (Italian Jasmine)
This species of Jasmine takes the form of an evergreen vining shrub. It grows well in zones 5-10, 12-24, H1 and H2. They are native to the Middle East, Myanmar, and China and have light green leaves and clusters of fragrant bright yellow flowers that bloom in summertime. It can be trained as a shrub or even clipped into a hedge. Variety 'Revolutum' has larger flowers and leaves than the species.

Jasminum laurifolium nitidum (Jasminum nitidum) (Shining Jasmine, Angelwing Jasmine)
This species can be evergreen or semi-evergreen and grows well in zones 12, 16, 19-24, H1 and H2. It is native to the Admiralty Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It requires a long season of warmth to bloom well and is hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. It grows to 10-20 feet and has glossy green leaves and fragrant flowers open from purple buds in springtime. Petals are purple underneath. This species can be used as a groundcover.

Jasminum mesnyi (Jasminum prinulinum) (Primrose Jasmine, Japanese Jasmine)
This species grows well in zones 4-24, H1 and H2 and is native to China. It has arching branches and dark green leaves. Flowers are lemon yellow and unscented, either double or semi-double. The bloom appears mainly in winter or spring but can bloom sporadically in other times of the year. This species needs space, and does best when attached to a climbing structure. Use it to cover a pergola, bank, or large wall, or trim it to form a 3-foot tall hedge.

Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine, Vinterjasmin, Ying Chun Hua, Rui Guo Yuan Wei)
This species takes the form of a vining deciduous shrub and is best in zones 2-21 and is native to China. Can reach 4 feet tall and 7 feet wide unsupported, but if on a trellis or structure, it can reach up to 15 feet tall. Flowers are bright yellow and appear before foliage fills out in early springtime. Leaves are glossy green and it makes a good bank cover. Stems will root where they touch ground and are attractive at the top of walls, allowing their stems to cascade over the edge. A variegated form is also available.

Jasminum officinale (Common White Jasmine, Poet's Jasmine, White Jasmine, True Jessamine, Summer Jasmine)
Semi-evergreen to deciduous vine that grows well in zones 5-9, 12-24 and H1. It is native to the Himalayas and the Caucasus. They reach 30 feet tall and have fragrant white blossoms that bloom summer through fall. Leaves are green. Varieties include 'Argenteovariegatum' (with leaves edged in creamy white), 'Aureum' (with golden foliage), and Jasminum officinale affine (commonly called Spanish Jasmine, grows to only 15 feet but has larger blooms).

Jasminum parkeri (Dwarf Jasmine)
This evergreen shrub grows well in zones 5-9 and 12-24, and is native to India. It is a dwarf form with bright green leaves and profuse, scentless flowers that bloom in springtime. It is great in rock gardens and containers. 

Jasminum polyanthum (Many-Flowered Jasmine, Pink Jasmine, White Jasmine)
This evergreen vining plant grows well in zones 5-9, 12-24 and H1 and is native to China. it is a fast-growing plant that reaches 20 feet and has bright green to dark green leaves that are more pale underneath. Fragrant blossoms are white inside, pink on the exterior and bloom in clusters. Flowers appear in late winter and spring. It can be used as a groundcover and is good in hanging baskets. Choice selection 'Variegatum' has leaves that have pale yellow edges.

​Jasminum sambac (Arabian Jasmine, Pikake, Sambac Jasmine)
This takes the form of an evergreen vining shrub and grows well in zones 13-21, 23, 24, H1 and H2. It is native to tropical Asia and grows to 6-10 feet tall. Leaves are glossy and green and flowers bloom in summer, fragrant and white. The flowers are used in leis in Hawaii and for brewing teas in Asia. Variety 'Grand Double' has double flowers.

Jasminum x stephanense
Evergreen or deciduous vines that grow well in zones 5-9 and 14-24 and has dull green foliage. Flowers are pale pink and fragrant, blooming in clusters of five or more in late spring and summertime.

Jasminum tortuosum (Twisted Jasmine)
This species takes the form of an evergreen vine and grows best in zones 17 and 19-24. It is native to South Africaand reaches 25 feet tall and produces clusters of white flowers at branch tips. The fragrance of the flowers is citrusy and light.

Caring for Jasminium

​These vines should ideally be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct light each day, and will flower and produce the best foliage the more sun they get. Some afternoon protection from sun is needed in particularly hot areas to avoid over-stressing the plant or foliage sunburn. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. 

Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Fertilize Jasminum plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base.

Propagation

Jasminum can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Jasmine Vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Jasminum by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Jasminum by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seeds of Jasminum plants are located inside of the dark brown to reddish fruits produced by vines. Cut the berries from the vines when they are fully mature (the darkest ones), and bring them indoors. Cut them open, remove the seeds, and then rinse seeds to remove any remaining flesh.
  3. Jasminum seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by soaking them in 24 hours prior to sowing. Once they have been soaked, they are ready to be planted.
  4. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Jasmine seeds are located inside of the berries produced by plants.
Jasminum seeds.

Problems and Pests

Jasminum plants are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases:
  • Budworms
  • Leafrollers
  • Webworms
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Whiteflies
  • Scale Insects
  • Thrips
  • Fusarium Wilt
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat them, consult the following pages:

Gallery

These vining plants can climb structures or be used as groundcovers.
The plants in the genus take a variety of different forms, including small trees, woody shrubs, and vines.
Although most species produce white flowers, some produce yellow blooms.

Videos

How to grow and care for these vining plants.
All about growing Jasminum polyanthum, or Winter Jasmine.
A complete guide on cultivating these fragrant vines.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Jasmine
How to Grow Jasmine: The Complete Jasmine Flower Guide
How to Grow Jasmine
How to Plant and Grow Jasmine
Wikipedia: List of Jasminum Species
Wikipedia: Jasmine
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 383 - 384, Jasminum
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