Jasminum officinale - Common Jasmine

The Jasminum officinale, commonly known as the Common Jasmine or Poet's Jasmine, is a vigorous twining climber from the Caucasus, Iran, the Himalaya and western China. Fine pinnate leaves clothe slender green stems, and clusters of pure white star-shaped flowers open from pink buds through spring and summer, carrying an intense evening fragrance. It is one of the most strongly scented climbers in cultivation and it will cover a pergola, screen or trellis quickly once established. It is used on pergolas, entrance screens, courtyard walls and shaded seating structures. Specifications: Height: 4 to 8 metres as a climber, depending entirely on the support provided Width: 2 to 4 metres Native to: The Caucasus, Iran, Afghanistan, the Himalaya and western China Foliage: Fine pinnate leaves with pointed leaflets in fresh green on slender twining stems; semi-evergreen in warm climates Growth rate: Fast Conditions: Soil: Prefers well-drained loamy or sandy soils with reasonable organic content; tolerates alkaline ground Light: Full sun to partial shade, with the heaviest flowering in full sun Water: Moderate; needs reliable irrigation through establishment and performs best where water is available Climate: Thrives in Mediterranean, subtropical and warm temperate regions; needs shelter from the harshest desert exposure Additional Features: Flowers: Clusters of pure white star-shaped flowers opening from pink buds, through spring and summer Uses: Pergolas and shade structures, entrance and courtyard screens, trellis and wall planting, shaded seating areas Spacing: Plant 2 to 3 metres apart along a pergola or screen line Low Maintenance: Prune after flowering to control size and remove tangled old growth; tie in to the support while young Pest Resistance: Generally robust, with sap-sucking insects the only common issue in still, humid positions Fragrance: Intensely fragrant, strongest in the evening, and the principal reason the species is specified Versatility: Trains equally as a pergola climber, a wall-trained screen or a spilling plant over a raised edge Wildlife Attraction: Evening-scented flowers draw moths and other night-flying pollinators The Common Jasmine is grown for its scent, and it should be planted where people sit in the evening rather than where they merely walk past.