90619There is some debate about the origin of the common name of Confederate jasmine. Some attribute it to its popularity in the former Confederate States of America. Others believe it originated in the Malay Confederacy, much closer to its native range. That is irrelevant here, where we know this popular vine with very fragrant flowers simply as star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides.

One might think that it is too common, but there are reasons for that. The dark green foliage is so delightfully glossy all year. As appealing as it is alone, it is even better as a contrasting backdrop for the small but strikingly white star shaped flowers that bloom in profusion about now, and continue to bloom sporadically for much of the rest of the year. The lavish fragrance is totally awesome!

The twining vines climb luxuriantly to about the height of first floor eaves. They can climb much higher, but higher growth takes a while to get as billowy as lower growth. However, it is more often grown as a shrubby ground cover, only about two feet deep. The simple leaves are two to three inches long, and one to one and a half inches wide. The clustered flowers are about an inch wide.

18 thoughts on “Star Jasmine”

  1. Love this vine and have it rambling all over the back fence. Unfortunately it escapes over into the neighbours side of the fence and they are not too keen on it and cut it back every year

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I dig it too. It grew out at the park strip (between the curb and sidewalk) in front of my home in town. It also grew up the iron banister to the upstairs porch. Sadly, the so-called ‘gardeners’ who are supposed to maintain it have ruined it. They do not prune it back enough, and allowed it to get overgrown and obtrusive, but never fail to shear it just when it is about to bloom. They never prune it back, but just deprive it of any chance to bloom.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. I grew this as a tropical one year. I loved the fragrance. I didn’t save it and I haven’t found it again. I found the fragrance somehow subtler than jasmine officinalis–but it would be hard to tell really since they don’t bloom at the same time.
    Karla

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. A yellow cultivar was available only briefly years ago, but I have not seen it since. It never became popular, or was just discontinued before it became popular. The white is so perfect, that the yellow seemed rather mediocre, like the pale orange oleander.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thank you. They bloom when they want to, with more pronounced bloom phases. Ours happen to be in full bloom right now. The picture was taken just as they were starting to bloom.

      Like

      Reply

  5. In the Northern Plains region, some vines require a longer length of season for full growth, so finding vines that fit parameters is important. It also makes vines more unique.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It is probably not as difficult as finding vines that will stay ‘within’ parameters here. That is why compact bougainvilleas are so popular. They provide the color without much of a fight.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. I love this plant and have 2 in my garden. Interestingly, one has a delightful sweet fragrance, the other, weird and a bit medicinal. Both are thriving.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment