Collection: Jasmine Plants

The main difference between jasmines is their flowering time. Most flower during the summer, including the popular Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine), and Jasminum officinale (Common Jasmine), but for a bit of much needed winter colour, bright yellow Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine) is hard to beat. Many jasmines are also evergreen, giving you year-round interest.

Jasmine does best in a sunny, sheltered position with plenty of natural light, but will also grow well with a little partial shade. If it’s a winter flowering variety, these can deal with a bit more shade and cold. Provided it drains well and doesn’t get waterlogged, any soil type is fine. As it’s a very fragrant plant, jasmine is a good choice for planting on a pergola or arch, or near seating areas and paths.

Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as your jasmine’s roots, position your plant in the centre and backfill with compost or soil, firming in well. The top of the rootball should be at soil level. Water your plant well and tie it in to the support with plant ties. If you’re planting more than one jasmine, the plants should be spaced according to the level of cover you want. Space them roughly a metre apart, or for a denser level of cover, 45-50cm.

Water your jasmine plant regularly for the first year - after this plants in the ground should be fine with rainwater unless the weather is very hot or dry, but plants in pots should continue to be watered regularly.

Feeding your jasmine plant can help it achieve its full flowering potential. Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser annually in the spring, then feed your plant with high potassium fertiliser monthly throughout spring and summer - tomato feed is good!

Prune your jasmine plant every year after flowering to keep it in shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Pinch back the tips of the vines regularly to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.

Jasmine is a twining climber and will wind itself around any structure. Good supports for jasmine include obelisks, arches and pergolas. It will also cover a wall or fence with support from horizontal wires or a trellis. It won’t need much training once it’s established. All you need to do is to guide the young plant by tying in its stems until it’s grown enough to do this for itself.

Most jasmine plants are summer blooming and will be in flower typically throughout June and July. Others, such as Jasmine polyanthum, bloom in spring from March to April or from January to March like Jasmine nudiflorum.

Jasmine plants don’t have especially deep roots, so they thrive in pots. Plant them at the base of a pergola or trellis and train them upwards with wires or twine. A freestanding obelisk or trellis placed in the pot also works well and is better if you want to move the pot at any time.