Do you want a low-maintenance, fast growing plant for your southern garden? Star jasmine, or confederate jasmine, may be the right fit. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 7B through 10.
Star jasmine is not true jasmine but a member of the Trachelospermum genus. It can be sluggish during its first year, but once it gets going, it grows vigorously.
Star jasmine displays small, glossy, dark green leaves that are evergreen foliage in warm climates. Depending on the climate, the fragrant white jasmine flowers bloom from April to June.
This plant is very versatile. Twining aid becomes a strong climbing vine when tied to a support. It can even make an attractive living fence. Allow it to grow on porches or let it twine onto trees.
Star jasmine is perfect for concealing unsightly old structures like fences and sheds. It can cascade down walls or terraces but cannot attach to walls without extra support.
Star jasmine plants are also excellent as a ground cover. Simply pinching back parts of the plant is sufficient for managing its growth.
With this treatment, the plant will stay 12 to 18 inches in height. Alternatively, you may also keep it as a houseplant, in containers, or hanging baskets suitable for outdoor settings.
Growing Conditions for Star Jasmine
Star jasmine’s evergreen foliage does best in full sun, although it tolerates partial shade, especially during hot, dry weather.
Houseplants should be placed behind a sheer curtain during summer months to avoid unfiltered sunlight. In winter, they should be moved to a well-lit window.
Star jasmine does not have any specific requirements when it comes to soil. He can thrive in all types, be it sandy soils, clay, loamy soils or a mix of them, and is able to tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils. However, moderate soil moisture is ideal. Therefore, adding compost or leaf mold before planting would be beneficial.
Plants need to be spaced at least 4 feet apart. Stars jasmine shall be kept watered during the root establishment period in the first growing season until the roots are established.
After planting, apply two inches of mulch to conserve moisture during dry spells. Once established, star jasmine demonstrates some drought resistance.
Routine Care
For fertilization, it is advisable to do so in spring when new growth begins, with an all-purpose fertilizer. Be sure to follow package directions.
As a general rule, star jasmine will not require additional fertilization. However, if the plant’s leaves appear light green or yellow, it is likely suffering from some nutrient deficiency. Balance is key – over-fertilization will result in vigorous leafy growth and few blooms.
These flowers are star shaped and one of the most fragrant features of this plant. Another common cause of limited blooming is insufficient exposure to sunlight. If plants do not bloom after the first year, it is recommended to relocate them to more sunny areas.
Star jasmine is particularly inapt to warm and moist climates, as these fosters invasiveness. To control growth, cut vines back to 18 inches after they flower. Prune jasmine grown as a groundcover throughout the year as they become untidy. For houseplants, pinch back as needed to control growth.
Star jasmine suffers from few disease or pest issues. Small, scale-like formations may be mistaken for diseases, but are actually scale insects which form colonies on many plants. These insects are tiny and pierce the stems and leaves to suck out the plant’s juices.
In small quantities, they are not harmful, but vast populations can stunt or even kill star jasmine. Moreover, scale secretes a sticky, clear substance called honeydew which attracts sooty mold, a black or gray fungus.
Apply an insecticidal soap or oil to control scale during periods of new growth. Plant star jasmine where air circulation is unobstructed and prune the plants to maintain spacing and reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Rabbits and deer occasionally munch on the green leaves and white flowers of star jasmine, but the plant’s rapid growth helps it recover quickly from the damage.
Varieties
Almost any variety of star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides) will do well, but ‘Madison’ is a hardy plant beneficial for zones 7 and 8. For fall foliage, plant ‘Japonicum.’
Their white-veined leaves become bronze in the fall. Another one worth trying is ‘Variegatum.’ This hardy plant has green leaves bordered in red.
Common Questions and Answers About Star Jasmine/Confederate Jasmine
Do you cut back Confederate jasmine?
Confederate jasmine is classified as a rapidly growing vine, and so it requires pruning to keep it within bounds as well as maintain its shape. It is best to prune after flowering has finished to help promote new buds to grow. Make sure your tools are clean to prevent bacterial transfer. Pruning between flowering and budding periods will aid shape without impacting blooms.
Encouraging fuller growth of Confederate jasmine can be achieved by pruning to just beyond last seasons pruning mark. Dead, broken, and branches that show signs of disease should be pruned to aid overall plant structure.
Furthermore, cross branching, congestion, and outward growth should also be removed. These consistant routine prunes allow enhanced flow and light to the interior leaves, helping the plant remain robust and boosting immunity.
Does Confederate jasmine bloom all summer?
Southern jasmine blossoms begin blooming in May and are fragrant until late June, especially in sunny areas. Jasmine vines are known for the sweet scent of their blossoms which enhances warm climates..
Does Confederate jasmine die in winter?
Confederate jasmine can endure temperatures down to ten degrees Fahrenheit without dying. However, once the temperature drops below 32 degrees, the Confederate jasmine will lose its green color and instead show a bronze hue.
Once the temperature reaches 10 degrees, the leaves will begin to drop off the plant. If the winter weather remains consistently cold and does not surpass ten degrees, your Confederate jasmine will return to the woody portions of the stems.
Sustained low temperatures can result in Confederate jasmine dying all the way down to the root systems. This means that the confederate jasmine vine is considered relatively cold hardy.
Mulching to a depth of four to five inches and watering deeply will help protect your jasmine vines from extreme cold spells.
Warm weather following cold exposure on your Confederate jasmine allows for cutting away damaged stems. Cold exposure combined with warm weather creates conditions that results in uncontrolled regrowth.
If severe cold weather has caused extensive damage to the plant above ground, then you should cut the plant back to ground level and apply mulch to the roots. In spring, you can assess if new growth occurs, signaling that the roots were viable. After confirming new growth, the plants should be treated with a balanced fertilizer.
Does Confederate jasmine need sun?
Confederate jasmine’s sun requirements are not too strict. It grows best in full sun, but part sun and partial shade are acceptable too.
Blooming in full sun yields significantly greater numbers of the perfumed star-shaped white flowers, so try to find locations that provide full sun.
Does star jasmine have deep roots?
The roots of star jasmine vines are spread through proliferating runners, so every vine that touches the ground will put down roots. These roots form a network that is deep as well as extensive within the region the plant occupies.
These roots are also the reason for the invasive tendency of Confederate jasmine.
Does star jasmine need a trellis?
Star jasmine may be grown without a trellis as a ground cover or trained to grow over a trellis or other supports. Place your trellis in full sun to partial shade to help star jasmine thrive.
Soil rich in organic material that drains well is required. Plant the star jasmine a few inches away from the trellis so it can grow freely.
As with most shrub varieties, jasmine does not naturally climb; thus, you will need to cut soft cloth strips to tie the jasmine to the trellis to help it train upwards.
As the star jasmine matures, guide its long, trailing stems through the openings of the trellis, intertwining the twining portions of the plant with the slats of the trellis in a direction that is natural to their growth.
Use cloth to loosely tie the star jasmine to the trellis so that the fabric does not become tight or cinched at the knot. As the jasmine vines develop, continue to bind the branches to the trellis.
Should your star jasmine not be a shrub cultivar but a true vine, you will only need to wrap the vines around the trellis as no tying will be needed. This kind of plant is a twining vine or a bine, which is one that climbs by its shoots in a helical manner to ascend.
How do you fertilize Confederate jasmine?
Additional fertilizer is not required for Confederate jasmine if your soil is well balanced, although you will know that it is low on nutrients when the leaves start to yellow.
Confederate jasmine that has recently been planted or transplanted into your garden should not be fertilized. After some time, once the jasmine becomes established, fertilize during spring once new growth begins.
Apply a 12-4-6 fertilizer blend at the rate of one and a half pounds per 100 square feet of yard space. For best results, the fertilizer should be distributed equally with the exception of the area around the jasmine plant.
Maintain a minimum distance of three inches between your Confederate jasmine plant and the fertilizer that has been set down.
Water deeply after applying fertilizer to aid in nutrient incorporation into the soil. For newly established Confederate jasmine vines, a smaller dose of about one tablespoon per plant is recommended.
How fast does Confederate jasmine grow?
Confederate jasmine plants have a potential growth rate of three to six feet annually. However, your Confederate jasmine plant will spend its first year developing its underground root system, without above-ground development.
Above-ground growth will begin in year two and, by year three, your plant will reach the typical three to six feet per year growth rate.
How often does Confederate jasmine bloom?
The blossoming period of Confederate jasmine extends from May to June, during which they produce luxuriously fragrant, white flowers.
How often should I water Confederate jasmine?
There is a difference in watering schedule between Confederate jasmine growing in containers and Confederate jasmine planted directly in the ground.
While the plant is drought tolerant, it is advisable to provide regular watering.
For Confederate jasmine planted directly in the soil, deep watering from surface dry top one to two inches is recommended. Moisture to five to six inches is required if five to six inch depth soil is wet.
You can check the moisture content of the soil right next to your jasmine plant by sticking your finger in it. If soil is caked onto your finger, it’s still damp. Confederate jasmine planted in pots will require more frequent watering.
Water potted Confederate jasmine when the top layer of soil has dried out; continue watering until excess moisture drips out from the container’s drainage holes.
Is Confederate jasmine evergreen?
The evergreen leaves of the Confederate jasmine vine are not completely evergreen. The plant’s foliage may blush bronze instead of green when temperatures drop to freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or below. At 10 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, Confederate jasmine plants will lose leaves.
Is Confederate jasmine invasive?
Confederate jasmine does not appear on the USDA’s list of introduced, invasive, and noxious plants. Nevertheless, some people consider it invasive due to its vigorous growth habit.
The tendency of the Confederate jasmine vine to spread is attributed to its deep-rooted system, which uses long runners to gather nutrients and claim new territory.
Is Confederate jasmine poisonous to dogs, cats, or humans?
No human or pet can be harmed by any part of the Confederate jasmine plant.
Is star jasmine annual or perennial?
Star jasmine is a flowering shrub that is perennial, meaning that it regrows after winter. For more details, read our article Annuals vs. Perennials: What Is The Difference?
Is star jasmine the same as Confederate jasmine?
Confederate jasmine and star jasmine are names for the same plant; both have the botanical name Trachelospermum jasminoides.