Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is one of the earliest flowering plants to bloom, often in January. It has none of the characteristic scents of the family, but the cheery, buttery blooms help dispel winter gloom and bring encouragement to the cabin-fevered gardener. This decorative plant is quick to establish and winter jasmine care is a breeze. Learn how to grow winter jasmine and perk up your cold season garden.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Jasminum nudiflorum, the winter jasmine, is a slender, deciduous shrub native to China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang (Tibet), Yunnan). The flower’s blossoming peaks right after winter, which is why it is also named Yingchun (迎春) in Chinese, which means “the flower that welcomes Spring”. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental and is reportedly naturalized in France and in scattered locations in the United States (Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland and New Jersey).
It grows to 3 m (10 ft) tall and wide, with arching green shoots and opposite, pinnate, dark green leaves. Each leaf is divided into three oval-oblong leaflets which are about 3 cm long. It is a trailing, vine-like shrub.
As its name suggests, in the Northern Hemisphere winter jasmine flowers bloom from November to March. The solitary flowers, often appearing on the bare stems (hence the Latin nudiflorum, literally “naked flower”) have six petals and are bright yellow, or white, about 1 cm across, appearing in the leaf axils.
Jasminum nudiflorum is valued by gardeners as one of the few plants that are in flower during the winter months. It is frequently trained against a wall to provide extra warmth and shelter, but also lends itself to groundcover. It tolerates hard pruning and should be pruned in spring immediately after flowering; regular pruning will help to prevent bare patches. It can also be grown as a bonsai and is very tolerant of the wiring methods. It likes full sun or partial shade and is hardy.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Winter jasmine flourishes in either full sun or partial shade (between 2-6 hours of sunlight per day). In most cases, it produces more abundant flowers with more sunlight. Interestingly, indoor plants benefit from periods outdoors during warmer weather to receive regular direct sunlight. You can take them out now and then for some sun.
Watering
As stated above, winter jasmine prefers drier rather than wet, soggy soils, so overwatering should be avoided. Whilst the new plant is getting established, water once a week, or when the top 3 cm of soil has dried out. Don’t water more than twice a week. Watering can be combined with fertilization, which will help the fertilizer reach the roots.
Soil
Winter jasmine generally tolerates a wide range of different soils, as long as the soil is sufficiently well-drained with neutral pH. If the soil is lacking in nutrients and organic matter, it should be amended with a 5 cm layer of compost. If planting in a container, the potting mix should contain equal parts potting soil, peat moss, and sand. However, preference for soil type (sandy, loamy or clay) depends on the variety.
Fertilizing
To promote blossoms, use a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus, such as 7-9-5 (7 parts nitrogen, 9 parts phosphorous and 5 parts potassium). Fertilize your winter jasmine in spring and summer. The nitrogen helps ensure rich, green leaves, while phosphorus aids the development of blooms, and potassium supports the growth of strong roots and improved resistance to pests and disease. Specific fertilizers for winter jasmine are available in stores.
To apply fertilizer, pour water containing the fertilizer around the base of the plant. Depending on manufacturer recommendations, the amount of fertilizer mixed in the water should be halved for indoor plants. Replace a regular watering session in this way when the plant is in need of fertilization.
Planting Instructions
If you want your winter jasmine flowers to bloom during the winter season, you should plant them in the spring. If you are growing winter jasmine to provide some extra color in your winter garden but not necessarily flower blooms, you can wait until the fall to plant. Winter jasmine will tolerate all seasons, so it is considered a deciduous, perennial plant.
Winter jasmine grows fast, so you won’t have to wait long to see its bloom. Start with plants from your garden center in one-gallon, two, or three-gallon pots. Space them three feet apart. You should plant it level with the root balls meeting the top of the soil.
Pruning
If you see a decline in winter blooms, prune the stems to a few inches above the ground to stimulate new growth. To train winter jasmine to grow over a trellis, prune it regularly, but otherwise, allow growth to spill over a low-hanging wall or in a large pot.
Since winter jasmine spreads, it makes an excellent ground cover but will also extend to unwanted areas if you don’t prune roots back to their intended space. Pruning will help control the growth but may also impact the flower showing the following year.
Propagation
Thanks to its vigorous growth, winter jasmine is easy to propagate from cuttings or a propagation technique known as layering. For propagation by layering, lower a shoot from the plant into the ground to allow it to grow new roots while still attached to the parent plant.
For cuttings, cut off a young shoot about 20 cm long in spring that has not yet flowered. Remove all leaves, leaving only those at the tip. Plant the cutting deep in a low-nutrient, loose soil such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seedling Compost. Overwinter these cuttings in a frost-free but cool place and move to a sufficiently moist location in May after it has taken root.
For ground layering, separate the shoot from the parent plant once it has developed a good root system. To do this, simply cut the new plant and dig its roots out of the soil using a spade. Then replant it in a new location.
Pests and Diseases
Winter jasmine is relatively disease-resistant, and deer usually resist this shrub. It is also not highly susceptible to drought. However, insects and plant diseases, including aphids and mealybugs, can impact winter jasmine. Aphids, also known as greenfly or blackfly, thrive in warm conditions and are sap-suckling bugs. Mealybugs are also sap-suckling bugs that release a white secretion on the leaves of plants. This white, waxy residue can cause fungus to grow on winter jasmine leaves and reduces direct sunlight. Treat aphids and mealybug infestations by spraying an organic solution and wiping down the shrub’s leaves.
Overwintering
Though winter jasmine is tolerant to cold conditions and winter frost, there are precautions that can be taken to protect it during the winter. Pruning at the end of the season helps ensure that the plant receives sufficient light when sunlight hours are reduced, and if the plant is showing ill-health during the winter, its stems can be cut back to roughly 20 cm above ground height to provide it with the energy it needs for the following year’s growth. In particularly cold weather, cover winter jasmine with an enclosure made from plastic.
III. Uses and Benefits
Winter jasmine is an unusual, very adaptable species of fragrant, flowering plant that is planted for its good looks, sweet scent, and versatility. It can be used as a ground cover, or trained to drape over walls or rock gardens. It is sometimes used as a specimen plant.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Winter jasmine generally blooms in spring and summer, and the flowers are always full of aroma. Picking flowers for home flower arrangements can also promote blooming. Long tendrils of vine varieties can bring movement and romance. Be sure to pick blooms before the buds are fully opened. Cut in the morning or evening, when they are most hydrated. Prune the base of branches at an angle of 45 degrees to increase the water absorption area, and place it in a vase with water quickly. Winter jasmine can live in a vase for about a week.
