Plant Spotlight: Star, Confederate Jasmine
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Stop and smell the jasmine! Walking down the streets of Charleston in April can't be beat. Pair overflowing window baskets and warm sunshine with the sweet scent of jasmine for a perfect spring day in the Lowcountry. Trachelospermum jasminoides, aka star or confederate jasmine, is a staple in Charleston.
This evergreen perennial vine is native to Japan and China and is actually not part of the jasmine family. The dark green, glossy foliage grows best with something to climb, like a fence or trellis, and explodes with small star shaped white and yellow flowers in April. The blooms are very fragrant and a favorite of both locals and tourists. You can find it growing over a historic doorway and along your favorite restaurant's fence.
Plant confederate jasmine in well draining soil in a location with full sun. It thrives in zones 8-10 but can be protected and maintained in colder areas. Given proper support, it can grow 20 ft + or it can even be used as a ground cover! You can prune it after flowering to control it's shape, or let it grow wild and free!
We love using confederate jasmine along blank walls, pictured here at a private residence and the Ryder Hotel in Charleston. It twines and climbs beautifully on a trellis, softening an otherwise harsh feature and adding height to small space. If you have a sunny area of your yard, consider adding confederate jasmine to your garden!
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