Arabian Jasmine Plant Info – What is Sambac Jasmine? In warmer growing regions, jasmine [1] has long been planted as an attractive addition to the landscape. While jasmine flowers are quite small, ornamental gardeners are drawn to the plant’s alluring scent. A particular type of jasmine, the so-called Arabian jasmine plant, is particularly popular due to its small growth habit and adaptability.
What is Sambac Jasmine?
From early spring through summer, jasmine plants begin producing a profusion of dainty white flowers that open at sunset. Intensely aromatic Arabian jasmine plants are ideal for use as potted plants and in borders near sidewalks and porches where passers-by can stop to enjoy their scent. Arabian jasmine flowers, also known as sambac jasmine, are hardy in USDA zones 9-11. Because the plant’s size and shape can be easily manipulated, many gardeners ask whether Arabian jasmine is a climbing plant. As a vining plant, the low-growing flower can reach up to 3 m in length, but is often pruned to maintain a more compact size.
Growing Arabian Jasmine Outdoors
Growing Arabian jasmine outdoors requires gardens to be frost-free year-round, as exposure to cold temperatures can severely damage the plants. The choice of location will also be of great importance. Gardeners should plant in a well-draining garden bed that receives partial sun and bright, indirect light for most of the day. Although Arabian jasmine plants can tolerate a range of soil conditions, flowers grow best in those that have been amended with a high quality finished compost [2] .
Once established, care for Arabian jasmine plants is minimal. In fact, this jasmine is resistant to most problems related to disease and insect pressure. Those growing Arabian jasmine outdoors should consider routine fertilization and watering during the months of active plant growth. Watering is particularly necessary in regions that may experience prolonged periods of high temperatures and/or drought. With a little care, even novice growers [3] can enjoy an attractive jasmine landscape planting season after season.
Jasmine Training Guide – How to Train a Jasmine Vine
Jasmine [1] ( Jasminum spp.) is a beautiful vine that grows in warm and mild climates. It occurs in bush and vine form and produces delicate, fragrant flowers with glossy green leaves. For a pretty privacy screen [2] or vertical feature in your garden, train jasmine to climb a fence, trellis or similar structure. Without training, the vine will still thrive, but it may look untidy and neglected. It can also grow out of control and smother other plants.
Cultivation and training of jasmine vines
Jasmine vines grow best in USDA zones 7 through 10. In warmer climates they grow year-round, while in places with colder winters they die back. Some strains [3] support themselves better than others, but all benefit from training.
If you plan to grow jasmine [1] on a trellis or other climbing structure, first make sure you have the right conditions and location. This vine prefers full sun [4] , but tolerates light shade [5] . If your winters get a little chilly, move the vine plant to a protected location. The soil should be fertile, modified with compost if necessary [6] and drain well.
Jasmine needs a decent amount of water, so keep it well watered during the growing season when there is no rain [7]. Test the soil to about an inch. If it is not moist, the vine needs to be watered.
How to Train a Jasmine Vine
Training jasmine vines is essential if you want to maximize the visual impact of this pretty plant. A jasmine vine left to grow untrained will look untidy but will also cover other plants.
When planting a new jasmine vine, place it very close to the base of the trellis or other element you will use as a climbing structure. Use plastic cable ties, soft fabric strips, or garden twine to secure the vine to the trellis. Alternatively, you can weave the vine and its offshoots through the holes in the trellis as they grow.
Another strategy for growing jasmine on a trellis or fence is to let the main vine grow horizontally at the base. Attach it to the base of the structure with cable ties. Then, as flowering offshoots grow, you can tie them to the structure so that they run vertically up and cover the surface.
You may need to prune your vine [8] more than once a year because the plant grows quickly. The best time to trim is in late winter, before the growing season begins. You can cut it back by up to a third to maintain a neat appearance and encourage new growth. For vines growing on old wood, such as winter jasmine [9] ( J. nudiflorum ), cut back after flowering.
Pruning a Star Jasmine: Learn When to Prune Star Jasmine Plants
If you are lucky enough to have a star jasmine [1] ( Trachelospermum jasminoides ) in your garden, you will undoubtedly appreciate its generous growth, frothy white flowers and sweet scent. Vibrant and energetic, this vining plant froths over supports, trees and along fences. However, over time, trimming star jasmine becomes essential. If you’re wondering how and when to prune star jasmine, read on.
Trim star jasmine
You love your star jasmine, but it has expanded too much and is growing out of control. Do not worry. Pruning star jasmines is not difficult and the plants recover quickly. You may want to start reducing star jasmine annually to keep the plants in check. If you inherit a neglected plant, you may need to prune it heavily to get it back on a better path.
When to cut back Star Jasmine
Wondering when to prune star jasmine? Although deciduous vines can be pruned during dormancy, star jasmine is not deciduous. Star jasmine grows as an evergreen plant in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 . However, its growth slows in winter and early spring.
Early spring is a good time to begin pruning a star jasmine. This gives the plant enough time to start new growth and set flower buds for summer blooms. However, some experts prefer to prune immediately after flowering.
How to Prune Star Jasmine
The best way to begin pruning star jasmine depends on the condition of the plant. Is it overgrown or just messy?
If the jasmine is growing on a support [3] , you will need to loosen and untangle the vines. At this point, it is time to begin pruning a star jasmine. If the plant is just a little overgrown, cut back some vines by a third by making angled cuts just above a bud.
If the vine is overgrown, you can reduce each vine by half. Here too, every cut should be made diagonally, directly in front of a bud. After cutting a star jasmine, save and discard the cut pieces. You need to secure the remaining vines to the support with ties.
How do you prune star jasmine used as a ground cover? Pruning a ground-growing star jasmine is easiest with an electric trimmer. Shear the entire plant to the desired height.
Is star jasmine good for hedges – Learn more about growing a jasmine hedge
When thinking about hedging plants for your garden, consider using star jasmine [1] ( Trachelospermum jasminoides ). Is star jasmine a good candidate for hedges? Many gardeners think this way. Growing a jasmine hedge is easy and the result is sure to be beautiful. If you’re wondering how to grow star jasmine as a hedge, read on. We will also give you some tips for cutting jasmine hedges.
Is star jasmine good for hedges?
Instead of the usual evergreen conifer hedge [2], you can use the beautiful star jasmine vine. Is star jasmine good for hedges? It is. A star jasmine hedge grows quickly and is very decorative with the sought-after fragrant flowers.
Star jasmine is usually grown as a vine that can quickly cover a high wall or trellis once the plant’s root system is established. You can create a hedge of star jasmine vines through regular and strategic pruning. The vine thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10.
How to Grow Star Jasmine as a Hedge
If you want to know how to grow star jasmine as a hedge, the most important thing is the right pruning. Left to its own devices, this jasmine will grow on the side of your house, trellis or fence. The key to growing a jasmine hedge is early and frequent pruning [3] .
Prepare the soil in the area where you want to start growing a jasmine hedge. Plan on a depth of at least 24 inches and then determine the length you want the star jasmine hedge to be. Work organic compost [4] into the soil.
Buy enough star jasmine plants for the hedge, counting one every 1.5 m. Dig the planting holes for each one as deep as but wider than the containers. Plant each star jasmine and water well. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Trim jasmine hedges
You want these plants to grow into a hedge of star jasmine, not vines. Therefore, you need to pinch off the tips of new shoots as soon as they appear. This forces the plants to produce side branches instead of shooting into the vines.
Continue pruning jasmine hedges as they grow. The best time to trim off excess growth is when the flowers are wilting. Regular and consistent trimming creates a solid hedge about 24 inches tall. You can create a taller hedge by using a support or trellis.