Star jasmine is a horticultural hero, with its glossy evergreen foliage and wonderfully fragrant summer flowers. It likes a warm, sunny, sheltered spot, and is ideal for blanketing a south-facing wall. It may need winter protection in colder parts of the UK (not London).
A very self-sufficient plant once established.
Light
- Full sun or dappled shade is required, with shelter from cold, drying winds. A south, south-west or west-facing wall is ideal.
Planting
- Trachelospermum thrives in very free-draining fertile soils of neutral to alkaline conditions, but will grow in slightly acid soils.
- Happily grown in a container in John Innes No 3 potting compost, or in a good quality multipurpose or peat-free compost.
Watering
- Water plants freely during the growing season (especially container-grown specimens) to ensure that they don’t dry out. Water only sparingly during the winter, allowing the surface of the compost to dry out between watering.
Feeding
- Top dress larger specimen with general purpose fertilizer when planting to give the plant a good start. Do not place feed in the planting hole as this does not encourage the plant to put down roots and seek nutrients.
- If growing in a pot feed or refresh the top layer of compost every 6-12 months. Do not feed in winter.
Pruning
- If pruning do so in the Spring before new growth and blooms emerge. Cut out any damaged or weak stems.
- The climber can be tied into support but is also self-clinging so will eventually find its way up and around.
Common Problems
- Late frost can damage early blooms.
- Under or over watering when in a container can cause dry leaves or root rot.
