Star jasmine

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Trachelospermum jasminoides at SCREC in June 2025 covered in fragrant white flower blooms. Photo: N Lo

Summary

A versatile, woody evergreen native to Southeast Asia, Trachelospermum jasminoides or the Star jasmine is well known for its dense coverage and fragrant spring blooms. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and is often used as a climbing vine, the plant’s shoots start off as soft and flexible, able to climb and twine up a support structure. Eventually establishing and turning into thick woody branches to form a permanent landscape piece. The foliage consists of thick, leathery leaves that have elliptical shape, maintaining a deep green color all year-round. A notable characteristic is the milky white sap that exudes from the plant when broken. In the Spring, the vine produces an abundance of small, white flowers in the shape of a star or pinwheel that can persist through the summer. With such quantities of flowers, there is also an intense sweet and floral aroma emitted from the vine.

The Star Jasmine grew consistently and steadily throughout the entirety of the trial, with only one mortality. It had solid green foliage with firm, turgid leaves and stems, and had a very quick blooming season. This season lasted from early to mid-summer, in which the vines were blanketed in little, snowy white salverform flowers. Although some individuals grew a few tendrils that climbed up the trellis, most grew in a bush-like form while still sticking to the trellis.

In 2024, these plants started out in their blooming season, covered in flowers. These flowers eventually withered away after a couple of months. Most of these individuals remained about the same size up until October 2024. They continued to steadily grow, pushing out some tendrils to climb the trellis along with new foliage. It was uncommon to observe old leaves defoliating, although some did occur around the base of the plant. By June 2025, the plants experienced their blooming season, which coincided with the 2025 Summer Open House. Participants in the event often rated these vines as visually impressive and appearing to be “bulletproof”, probably due to this taxon’s lack of pest and disease damage. The flowers withered away, leaving behind the same dark green foliage. A couple of individuals were noted for their foliage transitioning from dark green to vibrant autumn colors as summer turned to fall. By the time of the 2025 Fall Open House, all flowering was absent from the vines, and participants rated them lower than in the previous Open House.

Basic Info