Stephen Albert
Trachelospermum–commonly called star jasmine or confederate jasmine–is a tropical vine that produces clusters of small fragrant white flowers in summer.
Trachelospermum is a rapid grower. It is a twining vine with glossy green leaves. Trachelospermum can be grown on a trellis, used as a screen or it can be grown as a groundcover.
Trachelospermum flowers are white, tubular, fragrant, and star-shaped. The flowers bloom in clusters in spring and summer. Plants can grow to 28 feet (9m) but can be pinched and pruned to grow smaller and bushy.
Trachelospermum is a genus of about 20 species of woody, evergreen, twining climbers native to woodland from India to Japan
Get to know Trachelospermum
- Plant type: Evergreen summer-blooming vine
- Growing Zones and range: Zones 8-9
- Hardiness: Half-hardy
- Height and width: 20 to 28 feet (6-9m) long
- Foliage: Glossy oval to lance-shaped glossy dark green leaves up to 4 inches long; stems when broken emit a milky latex
- Flowers: Small, salverform flowers with cylindrical tubes and 5 spreading lobes; fragrant when flowers are in the sun
- Bloom time: Summer
- Uses: Grow on trellis or fence; use as a screen or grow as a groundcover; grow indoors where marginally hardy
- Common name: Star Jasmine
- Botanical name: Trachelospermum spp.
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Origin: Woodland from India to Japan
Where to plant Trachelospermum
- Plant Trachelospermum in full sun to part shade.
- Grow Trachelospermum average, evenly moist soil.
When to plant Trachelospermum
- Set established Trachelospermum in the garden in spring or fall.
Planting and spacing Trachelospermum
- Space Trachelospermum 6 to 8 feet apart.
How to water and feed Trachelospermum
- Trachelospermum needs moderate to ample water; keep the soil evenly moist.
- Fertilize Trachelospermum only if the soil is poor.
- If the soil is too rich, blooms will be diminished.
Trachelospermum care
- Mulch around Trachelospermum to conserve soil moisture.
- Trachelospermum will need tying into a trellis or stake.
- Trachelospermum seldom needs pruning, but if pruned do so in late winter or early spring.
Growing Trachelospermum as a houseplant
- Grow Trachelospermum in a room with cool to average temperature, bright light, and medium to high humidity.
- The growing medium should be soilless and well drained. Let the medium dry slightly between waterings.
- Fertilize every two to three months.
- Trachelospermum can be grown on a trellis or other support.
- Frequent pinching of the growing tips will result in a bushy plant that does not need support.
Trachelospermum pests and diseases
- Trachelospermum can be attacked by whiteflies, scale, and mites.
- Leaf spot and root rot can occur.
Trachelospermum propagation
- Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Layer Trachelospermum in autumn.
Trachelospermum varieties to grow
- Trachelospermum asiaticum, yellow star jasmine. has yellow flowers with dark throast and grows to 15 feet tall.
- Trachelospermum jasminodies, star jasmine, Confederate jasmine. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall; white flowers with wavy lobes. Cultivars ‘Japonicum’ has white-veined leaves; ‘Variegatum’ has variegated green and white leaves, often tinted in red.
