Genus: Jasminum

Jasminum officinale ‘Old Portland’

Years ago when I lived in southeast Portland, not far from where our shop is located I noticed a huge, old Poet’s Jasmine that straddled a fence with an 1840’s Bungalow behind it. I’ve always been a big fan of Jasmine so it was in my pervue. Fast forward 20 years and  when we went to check out the lot for our shop that Jasmine was still there. Peeking over the fence. Since then it has become a prime feature in our border and with extra love and water its gotten huge. We’ve grown quite a few cultivars of Poet’s Jasmine and there is one prime difference that makes this an exceptional plant. Unlike most Jasminum officinale which are most fragrant in the evening to morning this selection pumps out perfume 24 hours a day. A hot day at the shop is a wave of sweet jasmine perfume. Vigorous, deciduous hardy vine with a huge flush of bloom beginning in June and extending to August with some spare flowers into autumn. To 15′ tall and spreading. This large twining vine requires space and a strong support. In time the trunk becomes a bare, gnarled corklike texture and is pretty in a rough way. Fall color is a little yellow to very little  Sublime with white fragrant stars raining down for months.Excellent in concert up a pergola with roses. Also, I later found out that our 1840’s bungalow neighbor was the first home owned by Asian Americans on the east side of the Willamette River. I have a strong suspicion that this venerable Jasmine could be VERY old. Classic starry white flowers and fragrance on a tough, long lived vine. Native to central to eastern Asia. Moderate deer resistance.

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Jasminum nudiflorum ‘Aureum’

Winter Jasmine cheers us greatly when its shocking yellow (scentless) flowers erupt along the arching and climbing bare green stems of this shrub/vine in winter. Beginning in December it opens flowers continuously until a crescendo is reached in late February. To 9′ tall trained as vine. The lithe stems must be corralled and pegged or twiddled through a lattice. Be patient it will get there. Blooms occur on wood from the previous season. Prune directly after bloom has ended. Fast growing as a scandent ground cover. To 3′ tall x 8′ wide very quickly. Very nice trailing over banks, walls. This form has gold splashed leaves that appear in spring adding another dimension to this plant. Light summer water or none when established. Rich, well drained soil is ideal in full sun to part shade. Winter deciduous. Moderate deer resistance.

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Jasminum officinale ‘Argenteovariegatum’

One of the most wonderful cold hardy Jasmines. This form of Poet’s Jasmine has leaves boldly edged in ivory. The interior of the pinnate leaves are soft green. Vigorous twining vine to 15′ tall and as wide. In June a massive display of pink buds opens to powerfully fragrant sugar white flowers. Bloom continues through August. Very pretty multidimensional vine for a large pergola, fence, or very large trellis. The flowers are most fragrant in the evening and morning. Very stable variegation- I’ve never seen it revert. Winter deciduous. Adaptable to full sun to dappled shade. Mix with other vines or send this vine climbing with a good rose. Light summer water in rich to average soil including clay soil. Regular summer water speeds growth and establishment in the first summer. MMMMMM. Smells so good.

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Jasminum officinale ‘Fiona’s Sunrise’

Vigorous, hardy twining vine that we love for its chartreuse foliage as well as profuse fragrant white flowers. Best in part shade- will take full shade with leaves a bit greener and less flowers. To 15′ tall and nearly as wide in 6 years. Rich soil to average soil- including clay soil. Takes quite a bit of summer drought when established. Blooms in clusters from June to August. Wonderful vine for contrast. Try it up a pergola with the light lavender blue flowers of a Clematis or an orange rose. Moderately deer resistant. Winter deciduous.

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Jasminum officinale ‘Inverleith’

Extraordinary and rare form of hardy Poet’s Jasmine that we love for its dramatic bi-colored flowers. The buds and the outside of the tubular flowers are both bright red. The clusters of very fragrant flowers then open to an interior of pure white. The distinct bicolor effect reminds us of the much more tender Rose Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) Vigorous twining vine to 15′ very quickly. Provide strong support- such as #4 copper wire. Excellent on large pergolas or along fences where the clusters of deep red buds pre-bloom is just as showy as the open flowers. In fall this deciduous vine takes on amazing brilliant red tints before dropping its leaves. Full sun to part shade in average to enriched well drained soil. Regular summer water increases growth and spurs re-bloom. Usually there is a massive floral display in June with sporadic clusters of flowers into September. Easy, pretty vine. Sweetly fragrant from the evening to the early morning. Drought adapted when established. Moderate deer resistance.

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Jasminum parkeri

Adorable congested little shrubby Jasmine that is at home in rock gardens, shrub borders etc. Dense congested growth is arching. Tiny pinnate leaves line the stems in summer. In May-June a spectacular display of starry yellow flowers swarms this shrub. As new growth follows it holds a lesser show but flowers will appear sporadically until frost. Native to the Himalayan foothills in India, it forms a deciduous dome shape to 2′ x 3′ and dense and rounded. Established shrubs spread slowly by stolons as well. Cold hardy precious shrub for full hot sun and light to little summer water. Occasional summer soaks will yield increased bloom. The fragrance is sophisticated and light and most conspicuous on warm days. Prune after bloom has ended, but almost never necessary as will be evident once it starts to grow. Great self contained shrub that I’ve always thought deserves a place in public or commercial landscapes. Its precious in home gardens too. Loved by bees. Very easy to grow. Matches Hebe pinguifolia ‘Sutherlandii’ in density and formal appearance. Excellent in rock gardens, sunny hillsides. Great for erosion control. Slow and steady growth. Moderate deer resistance.

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Jasminum officinale ‘Devon Cream’

Amazing new color breakthrough for hardy Poet’s Jasmine. We love the clusters of pale moonlight yellow fragrant flowers that glow in clumps on this very vigorous deciduous vine. Fast growing to 15′ tall. Huge display of flowers in June followed by sporadic flowers until frost. The foliage has slight tints of gold as well.  Deciduous and cold hardy to 0ºF. Fall color is often luminous yellow and burnt orange. The soft flower color of this vine is exceptional. and begs to be mixed with a pastel large flowered Clematis. Very easy to grow. Powerfully fragrant flowers. A Xera Plants favorite. Twines, provide strong support. Prune in early spring if required, to tidy, build blooming wood. Moderate deer resistance.

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Jasminum officinale ‘Grandiflorum’

Vigorous form of Poets Jasmine thats distinct by having flowers that are entirely white and in larger clusters than the species. Fast growing twiner to 15’+ tall for a pergola or very very big trellis. Blooms June to frost. An initial large display in June. Medium green foliage is deciduous. In time the trunks become swollen and cork like. Powerfully fragrant flowers at night and in the morning. Moderate deer resistance. Cold hardy. Easy to grow vine. Very long season of bloom with an huge flush of fragrant flowers in June then less in amount but continuous into autumn. In colder locations fall color is a red/ orange. In mild winters leaves shrivel and cling a bit. A swipe of the hand or a broom releases them easily and they decompose in a flash. Beautiful long lived vine for a large position. Excellent intertwined with climbing roses for a romantic effect. Cold hardy.

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Jasminum officinale ‘Affine’

I’m still astounded that very few gardeners are familiar with this vine. This is the improved form of Poet’s Jasmine. Poet’s Jasmine is a vine that is native from the middle east to China. Its a COLD HARDY, deciduous, vigorous twining vine with powerfully sweet scented  flowers in June and then all summer. The sweet perfume is intense in the evening and morning and is conspicuous many feet away. This vine has been cultivated since antiquity and has been grown and loved in England since the 12th century. Its possible this vine returned to the British Isles via the crusades. But historians are vague. It is certain that it is featured heavily in Shakespeares time and the master himself included it in the details of his plays. Very fast growing, large, twining vine that require substantial support. To 15′ tall but it can spread laterally 30′ when excited. Provide #4 copper wire and eye hooks to give it ascent to any pergola, or fence. Do not grow it on that rickety stapled lattice from big box stores. It will kill it as sure as a boa constricts a gazelle. Fall color is often pink/coral and more effective in cold gardens. It has an initial huge display of pink buds that open to masses of white 3/4″ wide flower in June then they continue on new growth in a lesser show until September. New growth on this cultivar is a conspicuous maroon before settling to a refreshing grass green. Often the August flush of flowers yields the largest individual blossoms and that opulent display is accentuated by regular irrigation. Average soil with regular H20 to establish, then only light occasional water required. I prune mine back a bit after the first flush of flowers in June and that ensures a new round of flowers. Otherwise, it can be pruned in early spring. Perfect companion for climbing roses and it competes admirably with vigorous Clematis montana ‘rubens’.  Moderately deer resistant.  VERY long lived cold hardy classic vine that should be everywhere.  In time the twining trunks become bare but develops a handsome cork-like bark.

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Jasminum x humile ‘Sunshine’

This form of Himalayan Jasmine we chose from seed after its incredibly fragrant yellow flowers drew our attention. Rather than cloying and sweet its a sophisticated aroma that is never over bearing. I always wish it was a bit stronger. Smaller leaves than the species and many, many more flowers in a huge display in late spring and sporadically until frost. Fast, large growing deciduous shrub that is incredibly tough and drought adapted. Takes any amount of pruning. May be trained as vine if you are diligent. To 9′ tall and 5′ wide quickly. Excellent plant for hedgerows and tough conditions out back. Black berries follow the flowers.Jasminum humile x jasminum wallachianum. Thousands of yellow stars.

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