Jasminum nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine)

Michael's Opinion

This is an interesting shrub that flowers in the winter and looks particularly attractive when it is trained to climb a wall or trellis. Watch that it does not get out of control as it is quite vigorous and should be pruned every 3 - 4 years. One of the most common of the genus grown in England.

Botanical Information

FamilyOleaceae
GenusJasminum
Speciesnudiflorum
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous), Vine
ReferencesDirr, Michael. 'Manual of Woody Landscape Plants': Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. 5th ed. Champaign, Ill.: Stipes Pub., 1998. Print. Bryant, Geoff, and Tony Rodd. 'Trees and Shrubs': A Gardener's Encyclopedia. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Firefly Books, 2011. Print.
OriginWestern China. Jasmine gets its name from the Persian word, 'yasmin' which means fragrant flower. Introduced by Robert Fortune, after the opium wars in China. Fortune was dispatched by the Royal Horticultural Society out of the Chiswick Garden; only one of the expeditions was funded by the society. Fortune spent many years and several expeditions in China collecting plants before returning home. He was a humorless, but tactful and determined individual and was incredibly successful in getting his collections back to England alive; quite a feat given the time period and the difficulties in day to day travel.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone7b - 8a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone7
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-15 - (-9)
Temperature (°F)5 - 15
Height1 m. If trained on wall or trellis, 2.5 - 3 m.
Spread2 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodJanuary, February, March, December

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionJasminum nudiflorum or Winter Jasmine is a trailing, viny shrub branching from a central crown, with trifoliolate, dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers blooming in winter.
ID CharacteristicBright yellow, five-petalled flowers, many to a stem, blooming from December to March.
LandscapeCan be trained to climb a trellis or wall. Makes excellent ground cover to fill an empty area requiring some colour. It may also be planted to cascade over elevated areas.
PropagationRooting through layering of shoots in contact with the ground is quite easy.
CultivationIdeally plant in full sun to part shade, in well-drained, alkaline soil although it is very tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions. Winter prune, cutting back vigorous or unbranched flowered stems to strong sideshoots to stimulate lower development of lateral shoots. At the same time thin out crossing and overcrowded branches, including weak, twiggy growth. The plant is tolerant of rejuvinative pruning and thus can be cut back to about 50 cm. If this practice is undertaken full flowering will resume in about three years.
PestsNo pests or diseases of note.
Notable SpecimensThe Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri, United States of America.
Bark/Stem DescriptionStems are very smooth, green and quite slim in the first year of growth. The following year, stems turn brown and become more sturdy.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionPrimarily green to red-brown with scales.
Leaf DescriptionPinnately compound, deep green, narrow towards the ends, up to 3 cm long, trifoliolate.
Flower DescriptionBright yellow, non-fragrant, five-petalled, 1 cm in diameter. It flowers on the pervious seasons growth.
Fruit DescriptionSmall and black.
Colour DescriptionStems are green in the first year of growth turning brown during subsequent years. Deep green leaves in spring and summer and bright yellow flowers in winter months.
Texture DescriptionFine in texture, does not change throughout the year.

Photographs