Climbing Plants

Common Jasmine

Jasminum officinale

Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a climbing jasmine, usually deciduous, with very fragrant white flowers mainly in summer and early autumn.

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Attributes

Fragrant

Care guide

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Height

4–8 m

Hardiness

High

Flowering

Summer–early autumn

Foliage

Deciduous

In Cyprus

Common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a vigorous climbing jasmine with very fragrant white flowers. The RHS describes it as usually deciduous, so it generally loses its leaves in winter. To bring out the scent, the RHS suggests a warm, sunny, sheltered position; it copes with partial shade as long as the soil is well drained. It grows in chalk, clay, loam or sand across a wide pH range. The RHS rates it H5 for UK conditions; that scale is only a guide, and in frost-prone areas suitability depends on the local microclimate. Water regularly until it has established, then give supplementary water according to soil moisture and weather.

Uses in gardens and projects

As a climber it needs support, such as a pergola, trellis, fence or wired wall. The RHS gives an indicative height of 4–8 m and a spread of 1.5–2.5 m, and its description notes it can reach 12 m; pruning keeps it smaller. The flowers come in clusters of 3 to 10, mainly in summer and early autumn, so it is a good choice near seating areas, entrances and terraces where the scent can be enjoyed. After flowering, the RHS advises cutting out thin, old shoots.

Frequently asked questions

When does common jasmine flower?: Mainly in summer and early autumn, according to the RHS, with very fragrant white flowers in small clusters.
How tall does it grow?: The RHS gives an indicative 4–8 m in height and 1.5–2.5 m in spread, and notes it can reach 12 m. These are guide figures; pruning after flowering keeps it smaller.
Does it lose its leaves in winter?: Usually, yes. The RHS describes Jasminum officinale as a usually deciduous climber.
Does it need a lot of water?: It needs well-drained soil. Water regularly until it establishes, then give supplementary water according to soil moisture and weather.