Star jasmine
Provide support and tie in new growth from the start — it twines rather than self-clinging like ivy, so it needs trellis or wires. Expect little visible growth in the first year or two; this is normal establishment behaviour, not a sign of failure.
Care
Full sun gives the best flowering; a warm, sheltered wall suits it well and helps it establish.
Regular watering while establishing; more drought-tolerant once well rooted, though it still prefers not to dry out completely in summer.
Fertile, well-drained soil that doesn't dry out completely; also does well in a large pot of peat-free compost.
Prune after flowering to control size and shape, and remove any winter-damaged growth in spring; tolerates fairly hard renovation pruning if it outgrows its space.
A balanced feed in spring and a high-potash one in early summer, which supports the scented flowers. In a pot it matters more — an unfed container plant yellows and flowers sparsely.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat, in gritty compost under cover. Slow to root, and slow to get going afterwards: a young plant often sits for a season before it climbs.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchRemove any growth damaged over winter as new leaves emerge. how ›
- JulyEnjoy the strongly scented, star-shaped summer flowers. how ›
- SeptemberTrim and tie in new growth after flowering to keep it within its allotted space. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchRemove any growth damaged over winter as new leaves emerge. how ›
- JulyEnjoy the strongly scented, star-shaped summer flowers. how ›
- SeptemberTrim and tie in new growth after flowering to keep it within its allotted space. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryRemove any growth damaged over winter as new leaves emerge. how ›
- JulyEnjoy the strongly scented, star-shaped summer flowers. how ›
- SeptemberTrim and tie in new growth after flowering to keep it within its allotted space. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryRemove any growth damaged over winter as new leaves emerge. how ›
- JulyEnjoy the strongly scented, star-shaped summer flowers. how ›
- SeptemberTrim and tie in new growth after flowering to keep it within its allotted space. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Little visible growth for the first year or two after planting.
What to do. Normal for this genus while it builds a root system — keep watering through dry spells and be patient; strong growth usually follows.
How to spot it. On stems and leaf undersides.
What to do. Treat if noticed.
How to spot it. In a cold, exposed site.
What to do. Usually cosmetic on an otherwise healthy plant; choose a more sheltered position next time if it recurs badly.
Popular varieties
Questions
Star jasmine: is it hardy?
H4: Hardy through an average UK winter. It survives down to −10 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Does well in a large pot against a sheltered wall, which also makes it easier to protect in a hard winter.
Star jasmine: when do you prune it?
Prune after flowering to control size and shape, and remove any winter-damaged growth in spring; tolerates fairly hard renovation pruning if it outgrows its space. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March, September.
Star jasmine: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–August.
When do you feed it?
A balanced feed in spring and a high-potash one in early summer, which supports the scented flowers. In a pot it matters more — an unfed container plant yellows and flowers sparsely. Feeding months, UK: April, June.