Evergreen
Star jasmine
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Star jasmine brings fragrant white flowers from late spring into summer above glossy evergreen leaves. It can twine 10 to 20 feet over a support or form groundcover around 2 feet tall, so decide its role and boundaries before planting. A warm, sheltered Southwest Washington garden is a better fit than a cold inland or exposed site. Provide sun to partial shade, fertile, well-drained soil, and regular establishment water. Prune after bloom to manage spreading stems and clean tools after cutting sticky sap. Although listed as non-toxic to common pets, sap may irritate skin and chewing should not be encouraged.
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At a glance
- Mature height
- 10–20 ft supported; about 2 ft as groundcover
- Mature spread
- Variable with support and pruning
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Best in sheltered USDA Zone 8; marginal in colder sites
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Train on a trellis, fence, or arbor near a walk or sitting area where the flowers' fragrance can be noticed. It can also form groundcover within a maintained boundary.
Where to plant
Provide support before the stems need it and allow room for about 10–20 feet of climbing growth. Choose sun or partial shade with protection from cold, exposed conditions.
Through the seasons
Fragrant white flowers appear from late spring into summer. Glossy evergreen leaves may develop bronze tones in cooler weather.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Sheltered, mild maritime gardens offer the best conditions. Colder inland sites and exposed locations may exceed its winter tolerance, so consider protected container growing where reliable outdoor survival is uncertain.
Soil, drainage & water
Use fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly during establishment. Established plants tolerate some drought, but monitor new plantings and containers closely rather than allowing their root areas to dry severely.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Prune after flowering to keep twining stems within their support or groundcover boundary. Clean tools after cutting, as the stems release sticky white sap that can coat blades.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Winter injury
Leaves and stems may brown or die back after severe cold or exposure to freezing winds.
Help your plant thrive
Choose a sheltered position and protect containers in harsh weather. Avoid exposed sites where winter temperatures regularly exceed the plant's tolerance.
Overgrown supports
Twining stems can outgrow a small trellis or spread beyond the intended groundcover boundary.
Help your plant thrive
Provide enough support for the expected growth and inspect it as the vine develops. Prune after flowering to keep stems within the planned area.
A little more inspiration
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