Jasmine

When one thinks of jasmine [Jasminum] sweet fragrance comes to mind and nose! It is beautiful hardy easy to grow and withstands dry times.

Most species are frost hardy but thrive in tropical locations. I recommend that you plant them in full sun in fertile moist but well-drained soil. Prune as required after flowering being sure to remove dead or weak stems to allow more light and food to the good strong stems.

Fertilize them monthly with a general outdoor food [20-20-20 30-10-10 etc.] as Peters Rapid Grow Hyponex or Miracle-Gro. Follow the label directions and water in well with each application.

You can propagate them easily in the summer taking the freshest top 6" of a stem and rooting in a light fine mix with perlite vermiculite and sand.

While most are vines some can be pruned into shrubs. The flowers are usually white or yellow sometimes with a rosy pink outside coloration. They will not overwinter where there are deep frosts.

A popular species is Carolina Jasmine [Gelsemium sempervirens] a beautiful fragrant plant with glossy green leaves and small yellow trumpet or bell-like flowers which appear for many months in the spring and again in the fall.

Care should include fertile well-drained soil full sun and shelter from drying winds. You may need to support the stems and all pruning should be done after flowering. Sow the seed in the spring and take cuttings in the summer off vigorous stems.

They are equally fine as ground covers growing up a fence trellis wall pergola or verandah or in containers on a patio or balcony.

Q. Will I be able to grow confederate jasmine in Virginia and if I can can I grow them in large planters?

A. The jasmine should do fine in VA. especially if you are near the coast. Give them protective cover in the late fall to overwinter them if you get frosty. They love container growing