Jasmine plants | Jasminum - The Best Garden Varieties.

We talk here of Jasmine – the plants; not of singers by that name, nor companies, tea, beauty preparations or branded clothes. This is essentially about the plant genus Jasminum - commonly known as Jasmines. Summer Jasmine and Winter Jasmine are the two best known common names.

The popularity of the common name Jasmine has been usurped by some other plants other than true Jasminum. Who can blame them for wanting such a strong brand name? Trachelospermum jasminoides hails commonly as Confederate or Star Jasmine; Gardenia as Cape Jasmine. Gorgeous plants are both, with fragrance as strong as Jasminum. The plants are not to blame of course for this misuse of name. It is a name that sells well!

The Jasminum family of plants is diverse and most originated in the tropics of South East and other Asian areas. Now they are to be found in Europe and other temperate areas.

Several are surprisingly hardy, given their preferred abode is tropical. They all belong to the higher family group of Oleaceae - the olives. Most (after flowering) develop small black fruits - olives in miniature.

Jasmines are generally thought of as climbing plants. Most are true climbers, but some are sprawling or lax shrubs which lend themselves to being trained unnaturally up trellis and other supports. A few are happy to be self supporting shrubs - quite unlike climbers.

There are a few hundred Jasmines from which to choose - not all are readily available, or desirable for growing outdoors. Some are cultivated as houseplants, some are good garden plants.

 We list the most popular and reliable Jasmine varieties for garden use. Many are borderline cases insofar as hardiness is concerned. Those are not in this recommended list of reliably hardy Jasmines. I have first-hand experience of my chosen list.

General Care and Problems of Jasmines.

Most of these are best in well drained soil that does not become waterlogged in the winter. A wide range of soil is acceptable, but heavy clay soils will need to be lightened in the immediate area of the plant.

Full sun or the lightest of shade is ideal. Other than that, the climbers need support and tying in, with whatever pruning is required carried out right after flowering.

This list - which are suitable for growing outdoors have few problems. Aphids being the normal insect pest – though rarely troublesome.

List of Jasmine Plants for Outdoor Garden Planting

• Jasminum officinale AGM - Common Jasmine; Summer Jasmine.
  The common summer Jasmine is a vigorous twining climber with the famed fragrant white flowers. It has many related ‘cousins’ which are grown as indoor Jasmine. Jasminum officinale flowers from mid-summer through until autumn and is holder of the coveted AGM - Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. To be so recognized means that it has been observed and tested in garden situations over time and is regarded being a worthy subject for general garden and reliable garden use. Vigorous; 3-5m.
  Pruning Summer Jasmine
• Jasminum officinale ‘Argenteovariegatum’ AGM
  as per its parent, but with the added attraction of creamy white foliage variegation which is especially colourful on the young leaves. Vigorous; 3m+
• Jasminum officinale ‘Aureum'
  being another from the same parentage, though sometimes having the foliage spoiled in harsh sun or late frosts. Not as floriferous as the parent, but with stunning golden foliage throughout summer. This cultivar is best planted in dappled shade, rather than direct sunshine in order to avoid leaf scorch. Vigorous; 3m+
• Jasminum beesianum - Red Flowered Jasmine.
  Twining deciduous Jasmine - the unusual red flowers – for a Jasmine – are the main reason for including this climber in the list. The flowers are small and not greatly scented – though some writers claim it to be so! Neither is it evergreen as sometimes described, though in the mildest of areas it retains some foliage throughout winter. Reasonably vigorous once established; 2-3m.
• Jasminum nudiflorum AGM - Winter Jasmine. Deciduous arching stems. One of the best of the winter flowering shrubs – the Winter Jasmine is more of a floppy shrub than a true climber. It can be ‘trained’ and supported up all manner of structures to suit as a good wall or pergola shrub. Late winter it is a mass of deep gold flowers on bare stems, followed by deep green glossy foliage after flowering.
  Grown to height against a wall, can be quite spectacular with the hanging branches of yellow-clad flowers Slow to take off, but can be trained up to 2.5m.
  Pruning Winter Jasmine 
• Jasminum humile Revolutum AGM - Yellow Bush Jasmine
  Unusual Jasmine, in that it is not a climber or wall plant but a stand-alone shrub that has generally erect but slightly arching habit. Large golden yellow flowers contrast well with the attractive pinnate foliage, and there is also a hint of fragrance – strong enough to warrant it being classed as a scented summer flowering shrub. No need for pruning – other than to remove any crowded growth – right after flowering. Shrub – not climber; 2+m in height and spread.
• Jasminum x stephanense AGM
  Deciduous twining climber as per the other summer Jasmines, but now with flushed pink flowers – being the result of its parentage line of the red-flowered J. beesianum, and the white-flowered Jasminum officinale. Vigourous;  4-5m height.
• Jasminum polyanthum AGM - Pink Jasmine.
  J. polyanthum is an evergreen or semi-evergreen vigorous twining climber It is similar to the common summer Jasmine, but with pink-buds opening to white flowers. This is really a borderline case insofar as hardiness is concerned, but is worth a try – just for the pink buds of the otherwise white flowers. It really will need a sheltered area and a sunny wall for certainty! It becomes more reliably hardy with age. During the first winter outdoors it will benefit from a little protection – especially at the root zone. Vigorous; 2-3m height.
• Climbing Plants Main
• List of Climbing Plant Names