Overview
Jasminum officinale is a climbing climber wall shrub in the genus Jasminum, part of the Oleaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 4-8 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Jasminum officinale grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include climber and wall shrubs, coastal, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens and wall side borders. It is native to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China South-Central, East Himalaya, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Transcaucasus and Türkiye.
About
Jasminum officinale, known as the common jasmine or simply jasmine, is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae. It is native to the Caucasus and parts of Asia, also widely naturalized. It is also known as summer jasmine, poet's jasmine, white jasmine, true jasmine or jessamine, and is particularly valued by gardeners throughout the temperate world for the intense fragrance of its flowers in summer. It is also the National flower of Pakistan. Mature plants reach roughly 4-8 metres tall and 1.5-2.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Jasminum officinale
About the genus
Jasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family of Oleaceae. It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Jasminum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Jasminum officinale size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Climber and wall shrubs, Coastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wall side borders
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China South-Central, East Himalaya, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Türkiye
- Fragrance
- Strong, sweet, highly fragrant flowers especially in the evening
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Jasminum officinale
- Cultivation
- Prefers full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, regular watering during dry periods, benefits from support for climbing
- Pruning
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth; remove dead or weak stems
- Propagation
- Layering, Hardwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Scale insects, Mealybugs, Glasshouse red spider mite under glass
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Jasminum officinale?
Prefers full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, regular watering during dry periods, benefits from support for climbing.
Where is the best place to plant Jasminum officinale?
Jasminum officinale prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Jasminum officinale need?
Jasminum officinale is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How do I prune Jasminum officinale?
Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth; remove dead or weak stems.
How big does Jasminum officinale grow?
Jasminum officinale reaches a height of 4-8 metres and a spread of 1.5-2.5 metres. It takes around 5-10 years to reach full size.
Is Jasminum officinale hardy in the UK?
Jasminum officinale has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Jasminum officinale?
Layering, Hardwood cuttings, Semi-hardwood cuttings.
