Plant Of The Month

Jasminum officinale


It is a Semi-evergreen to deciduous vine. This vine has lots of fragrant white flowers in spring, summer, and fall. Blooms on new growth. Prefers a moist well-drained light soil enriched with organic matter. Drought and pollution tolerant. Jasmine associates nicely with climbing roses, honeysuckle or clematis, but it looks superb grown on its own. Grown in the perfume fields of Southern France, it has good tolerance to a wide range of temperatures and is easily maintained in pots. Min. temp. 45 F.

When walking down the streets of Southern California at this time of year, especially in the early evening, you will smell this distinctive flowering vine. You will stop in your tracks to look for the plant the smell is that strong at this time of year. The only temperate plant close to this strong of a smell is Lilac. They are now in full bloom all over, and so it is a delight for the next few weeks to see this all over fences, walls, and many places you least expect it. I have grown it in a pot on my patio before, and was delighted each spring with the lovely flowers and scent. Sleeping with the window open and a light breeze brings the delightful scent into your room to make for a peaceful night's rest!