Trachelospermum jasminoides (also called Confederate jasmine)
Trachelospermum
jasminoides
Woody, semi-evergreen, climber, grown for fragrant white flowers in summer. A good plant for a container near an open door or window.
Strongly scented flowers do not seem to attract insects. Update: they don't attract day time insects, but the flowers are attractive to night-flying moths.
Some plants are evergreen in milder areas, but the main interest is the scented flowers which are borne all summer.
Habit – twining, slightly untidy but can be trained. H: 9m
Stems – round and brown. Stems are brittle and snap easily, so be careful when moving. Stems exude a milky sap when cut or broken.
Leaves – lanceolate, glossy, dark green, turning red in winter. Leaves may fall in colder areas.
Flowers – white, propeller-like, rich jasmine scent.
Full sun or partial shade. The protection of a warm wall is recommended.
Fertile, well drained.
Half to frost hardy.
Protect from cold, drying winds. Grow in a container in colder areas so that plant can be moved to more shelter in winter. Cut back before the plant’s winter move so that it will fit the space available.
Water and feed monthly during the growing season but reduce watering, and stop feeding, in winter.
The plant stems root easily so layering is a fairly easy option - peg down a stem so that a leaf node is in contact with the soil.
Half-ripe cuttings, 6-8cm, with a heel, can be taken in August and kept in a cold frame. When cuttings are taken, make sure that the milky sap from the stem has dried before inserting the cutting in to its growing medium.
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