What hardiness zones is Trachelospermum jasminoides suitable for?

Trachelospermum jasminoides is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Trachelospermum jasminoides?

Trachelospermum jasminoides requires Full Sun.

How much water does Trachelospermum jasminoides need?

Trachelospermum jasminoides has Medium water needs.

Trachelospermum jasminoides, star jasmine

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Vines & Groundcovers

Trachelospermum jasminoides

star jasmine

Apocynaceae

Eastern and southeastern Asia — China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam

At a Glance

TypeVine

HabitClimbing

FoliageEvergreen

Height15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 m) as vine; 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) as groundcover

Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 10

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

An evergreen, twining vine reaching 15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 m) when grown on a support structure, or forming a mounding groundcover 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall spreading 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) without support. Stems are woody, twining, and exude a milky latex when cut. Leaves are opposite, elliptic, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, leathery, glossy dark green, turning bronze to reddish in winter, particularly in cooler zones. Pinwheel-shaped white flowers, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, appear in terminal and axillary cymes from late May through July. Flowers are intensely fragrant with a jasmine-like scent detectable from 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m). Growth rate is slow for the first 2-3 years after planting, then moderate once established. Annual extension growth of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) is typical on established plants in zones 8-9. New foliage emerges light green, darkening through the growing season. Plants may suffer stem dieback in prolonged cold below 10°F (-12°C). In areas with cool summers, flowering is reduced or absent. Milky sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Native Range

Native to eastern and southeastern Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Found in forest margins, stream banks, and rocky slopes from lowland to mid-elevation habitats.

Suggested Uses

Commonly grown on walls, fences, arbors, and pergolas where the fragrance can be appreciated at close range. Functions as an evergreen groundcover on slopes at 3-4 foot (90-120 cm) spacing when not provided with a climbing structure. Grows in containers of at least 7 gallons (27 L) with a trellis or obelisk for support.

How to Identify

Identified by opposite, elliptic, glossy dark green leaves 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long on twining stems that exude milky latex when cut. Flowers are pinwheel-shaped, white, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, with five propeller-like petals. Distinguished from true jasmine (Jasminum) by opposite leaf arrangement, milky sap, and the distinctive pinwheel flower form rather than tubular.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

SpringSummer

Flowers from late May through July in zones 8-10. Peak bloom occurs in June, lasting 3-4 weeks. Sporadic flowers may appear into August in favorable conditions. In cool-summer climates such as the Pacific Northwest, bloom is less prolific than in warmer regions and may not occur at all on plants sited in shade.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, bronze to reddish tints in winter

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandclay

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply once per week during the first two growing seasons. Established plants tolerate short dry periods of 1-2 weeks but produce more flowers with consistent moisture during the bloom period. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring; avoid high-nitrogen formulas that promote vegetative growth at the expense of flowers. Provide a sturdy support structure for climbing; stems twine counterclockwise and require wire, trellis, or fence to grip. In zones 7-8, site against a south- or west-facing wall for winter protection and reflected heat. Spider mites and scale insects may occur in dry, sheltered locations. Whitefly can be problematic in warm, still air.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering in late July or August to shape and control size without removing the following year's flower buds. Remove dead, damaged, or tangled stems as needed. Plants tolerate hard renovation pruning to 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) in late spring if overgrown, but will not flower the following season. When grown as a groundcover, shear annually after bloom to maintain a compact mat.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 7 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets