Confederate Jasmine
Trachelospermum
jasminoides
Introduction
Although slow to get started, confederate jasmine is well worth
the wait . Eventually rather vigorous, this twining woody vine
has small, shiny, dark green leaves which provide a very dense
screen or cover. The intensely fragrant, pinwheelshaped, pure
white, one-inch blossoms, abundantly produced in April and May,
extend well beyond the leaves. Confederate jasmine is ideal for
training across the top of a doorway or on a trellis next to
a porch where its fragrance can be easily appreciated. It can
also be used to cover light posts, fences, or tree trunks.
General Information
Scientific name: Trachelospermum jasminoides
Pronunciation: tray-kell-loe-SPER-mum jaz-min-NOY-deez
Common name(s): Confederate Jasmine, Star Jasmine
Family: Apocynaceae
Plant type: vine
USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 10
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: cascading down a wall
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness
range
Description
Height: depends upon supporting structure
Spread: depends upon supporting structure
Plant habit: spreading
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: showy; pleasant fragrance
Fruit
Fruit shape: pod or pod-like
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: thin Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: aggressive, spreading plant
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
Flowering best in full sun, confederate jasmine will grow well
in partial shade, thriving on a variety of soils. No special care
is required of well-established plants, except trimming to keep
it in bounds. The cultivar ‘Japonicum’ has white-veined
leaves which turn bronze in fall; ‘Variegatum’ has
green and white variegated leaves, often tinged red and is hardier.
Propagation is by cuttings or layering. Scales can be a problem,
followed by sooty mold. Otherwise, confederate jasmine is very
easily grown.
Pests and Diseases
No diseases are of major concern.
by Edward F. Gilman
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