Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a popular, evergreen climber with bright yellow flowers that bloom in winter and early spring.
It’s perfect for growing against a sunny wall or fence, where it will quickly cover any unsightly garden structures with its dense, dark green foliage.
If you’re looking for a plant that will add some cheer to your garden during the winter months, look no further than winter jasmine. This hardy plant is relatively easy to care for, and its cheerful yellow flowers are a welcome sight during wintertime. Here’s what you need to know about growing and caring for winter jasmine in your own garden.
How to grow and care for winter jasmine
If you’re lucky enough to have a spot in your garden that gets full sun, winter jasmine will thrive there.
It’s not too fussy about soil type either, as long as it is well-drained. To help improve drainage, mix some horticultural grit or sand into the planting hole before potting on.
When it comes to planting, winter jasmine is best started from cuttings taken from an existing plant.
You can also purchase plants from a nursery or online retailer.
If you’re starting from scratch, be sure to choose a location that gets full sun or partial shade and has well-drained soil.
Once you’ve got your plant in the ground, water it deeply and regularly for the first few months, until it becomes established.
Water winter jasmine regularly during the first growing season to help it establish a good root system.
Once it’s established, it is quite drought tolerant. In fact, overwatering can be a problem, so make sure the soil has had a chance to dry out before giving it another drink.
If you’re growing winter jasmine in a pot, choose one that is at least 30cm (12in) wide and deep.
Use a John Innes No 3 compost and water regularly during the growing season. Repot every two or three years in spring, using fresh compost each time.
Can winter jasmine be grown in shade?
While winter jasmine will tolerate some shade, it is best grown in full sun or partial shade.
If you do grow it in a shadier spot, it may not flower as heavily.
How quickly does winter jasmine grow?
Winter jasmine is a fast-growing plant, so it won’t be long before it covers the wall or fence you’ve planted it against.
Once established, it can grow up to 3m (10ft) in a single season.
Pruning winter jasmine
You’ll need to prune winter jasmine each year to keep it looking its best.
The best time to do this is in late spring, after the plant has finished flowering. Cut back any overlong or untidy shoots, and remove any dead or damaged stems.
Winter jasmine can also be pruned hard if necessary, to keep it in check or rejuvenate an overgrown plant.
To do this, cut all the stems back to about 15cm (6in) above ground level in late spring or early summer.
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Yellow leaves on winter jasmine
If you notice that the leaves on your winter jasmine are turning yellow, it is likely due to a lack of iron in the soil.
This can be remedied by giving the plant an iron sulphate feed in spring.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as too much iron can damage the plant.
Winter jasmine flowers
The small, bright yellow flowers of winter jasmine appear from mid-winter to early spring, bringing a welcome splash of colour to the garden during a otherwise drab time of year.
The flowers are followed by dark green berries which are poisonous if eaten.
Is winter jasmine poisonous?
The berries of winter jasmine are poisonous if eaten, so it’s important to keep them out of reach of curious children and pets.
Where to buy winter jasmine
You can usually find winter jasmine for sale at garden centres and online retailers from late spring onwards.
If you’re starting from scratch, look for a plant that has been grown in a pot.
Yellow Winter Jasmine Nudiflorum | Long-Lasting Yellow Blooms
Pests and diseases
Winter jasmine is generally pest and disease free, although it can be susceptible to scale insects and aphids if grown under glass.
These pests can be controlled with a suitable insecticide. If you’re growing winter jasmine outdoors, it’s also worth keeping an eye out for slugs and snails, which can cause damage to the leaves.
When and how to harvest winter jasmine flowers
You can start harvesting winter jasmine flowers as soon as they appear in late winter or early spring.
To cut them, use sharp gardening shears or secateurs and take a few inches off the tips of the stems.
Flowers can be used fresh in floral displays or added to vases of water. They can also be dried for later use.
Is winter jasmine an evergreen
Winter jasmine is an evergreen climber, meaning it will keep its leaves all year round.
This is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular plant, as it provides foliage and color even during the winter months when other plants are dormant.
Can winter jasmine be grown as a hedge?
Winter jasmine can be grown as a hedge, although it is not typically used for this purpose.
If you do want to grow it as a hedge, make sure to plant it at least 1m (3ft) apart so that it has enough room to spread.
You’ll also need to prune it regularly to keep it in shape.
Final Words
If you’re looking for a plant that will add some cheer to your garden during the winter months, look no further than winter jasmine.
This hardy plant is relatively easy to care for, and its cheerful yellow flowers are a welcome sight during wintertime.
Winter jasmine is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but there are a few things you can do to promote healthy growth.
Fertilize your plant in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, and prune it back after it blooms in late winter or early spring.
You can also give it a light trimming after its summer bloom period.
With a little bit of care, you can enjoy these beautiful blooms in your own garden for many years to come.
