Japanese Star Jasmine, Small Leaf Confederate Jasmine, Asiatic Jasmine
Trachelospermum asiaticum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Form: Prostrate, Spreading or horizontal, Variable spread.

Trachelospermum asiaticum is an evergreen Climber growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 6

Where it is found

Thickets in hills and low mountains, C. and S. Japan. Growing in scrub and climbing up trees in the forest.

E. Asia - Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young buds - cooked. No more details are given, we do not know if it is the leaf or flower buds that are referred to.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in a sunny position. One of the most common ground cover plants used in Texas.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Cascades, Erosion control, Ground cover, Pest tolerant, Massing. Requires a well-drained moderately retentive soil in full sun or with part-day shade. Requires a good humus-rich soil. Succeeds in moderately alkaline or acid soils. Requires the protection of a wall. Plants are not very hardy outside the milder areas of Britain, but they can tolerate temperatures down to about -15°c when grown in a suitable position that makes sure the wood is fully ripened. Young plants are particularly susceptible to cold winds. A twining plant. Plants are self-clinging on walls according to other reports. The plant is of slow to moderate growth. Flowers are produced on short laterals that grow from old wood. The flowers have a sweet refreshing perfume. Special Features: Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms, Flowers are rare.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Ensure that the milky sap, which is excreted from the heel when the cutting is taken, has dried out before the cutting is inserted in the soil. Fair to good percentage. Layering in summer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

T. crocostemon. T. divaricatum.