Jasmine, a beloved ornamental flower, has captivated gardeners and enthusiasts for centuries. Originally native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, particularly Persia (modern-day Iran), jasmine was introduced to many countries, including China, over 1,600 years ago.
Renowned for its exquisite fragrance and delicate white blossoms, jasmine typically flowers from late spring through autumn. Most varieties exhibit a fascinating blooming pattern, with buds forming during the day and flowers unfurling in the evening, releasing their intoxicating scent into the night air.
While beauty is subjective, certain jasmine varieties are particularly prized for their unique characteristics. Here’s a curated list of ten of the most stunning jasmine varieties:
Also known as Thousand-layer Jasmine or Lion Head Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum), Tiger Head Jasmine is one of the most captivating varieties within the Jasminum genus. This evergreen climber lives up to its name with an abundance of small, delicate flowers that create a striking visual display.
Unlike other jasmine species that typically have two leaves per node, Tiger Head Jasmine exhibits a unique characteristic of producing three, four, or even up to seven leaves per node. This distinctive foliage arrangement contributes to its lush appearance and sets it apart from its relatives.
The flowering behavior of Tiger Head Jasmine is particularly fascinating. It usually begins its blooming spectacle around 7 or 8 p.m., with the buds gradually unfurling layer by layer throughout the night and into the next day. This nocturnal blooming pattern is an adaptation that attracts night-pollinating insects, particularly moths, ensuring effective pollination.
Tiger Head Jasmine is renowned for its incredibly prolific blooming habit, often producing masses of fragrant white flowers that can cover the entire plant. The individual flowers are typically star-shaped with five petals, measuring about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter. They emit a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that intensifies during the evening hours.
While this jasmine variety is prized for its beauty and fragrance, it can be somewhat challenging to maintain in cultivation. It has lower disease resistance compared to some other jasmine species and is more susceptible to pest infestations.
Common issues include powdery mildew, scale insects, and spider mites. To mitigate these problems, gardeners should ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and regularly inspect the plant for early signs of trouble.
Despite these challenges, with proper care and attention, Tiger Head Jasmine can be a rewarding addition to gardens in suitable climates, typically USDA zones 9-11. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining, fertile soil. Regular pruning is essential to maintain its shape and encourage dense growth and abundant flowering.
The Bead Jasmine, scientifically known as Jasminum sambac ‘Maid of Orleans’, is undoubtedly one of the most captivating cultivars in the jasmine family. Its distinctive features lie in the perfectly rounded shape of both its leaves and blossoms, lending it an elegant symmetry rarely seen in other jasmine varieties.
This cultivar boasts an impressively long flowering period, typically stretching from early summer through late autumn. Its prolific blooming habit is a key attribute, with new buds continually emerging throughout the season.
These buds, resembling lustrous pearls, add a unique ornamental quality even before they open. When in full bloom, the flowers unfurl to reveal a form reminiscent of miniature lotus blossoms, each one a perfect rosette of pure white petals.
The Bead Jasmine’s fragrance is notably potent and sweet, filling the air with its intoxicating scent. This strong perfume, combined with its visual appeal, makes it highly prized in both ornamental landscaping and practical applications such as essential oil production and traditional medicine.
Among the double-flowered jasmine varieties, Bead Jasmine stands out for its relatively low maintenance requirements. It adapts well to various growing conditions, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners. The plant’s vigorous growth habit, coupled with its abundant, large, and fragrant flowers, offers a rewarding experience for those new to jasmine cultivation.
For optimal growth and flowering:
The Bead Jasmine’s intermittent blooming pattern from early summer to late autumn ensures a long-lasting display of flowers. This extended flowering period, combined with its other desirable qualities, has solidified its position as a premium jasmine variety, highly sought after by both hobbyists and professional horticulturists alike.
The Pen Tip Jasmine, scientifically known as Jasminum sambac ‘Maid of Orleans’, is a cultivar prized for its distinctive floral characteristics and captivating fragrance. True to its name, the flower buds of this jasmine variety bear a striking resemblance to the tips of traditional Chinese writing brushes, lending it an air of elegance and cultural significance.
Renowned for its intense fragrance, the Pen Tip Jasmine is often considered the most aromatic among jasmine species. Its blooming cycle is remarkably efficient; after the initial flowering, new buds typically emerge within a week, ensuring a continuous display of blossoms throughout its growing season.
This jasmine cultivar naturally develops a compact, upright growth habit, eliminating the need for frequent pruning to maintain its shape.
The plant’s dense foliage creates a lush appearance, with glossy, emerald-green leaves that remain evergreen. This persistent verdancy is particularly valuable in indoor settings, where it can provide a touch of vibrant greenery even during harsh northern winters.
The flowers of Pen Tip Jasmine come in both single and double petal forms, with a distinctive feature being their pointed petal edges. This characteristic contributes to their brush-tip appearance and sets them apart from other jasmine varieties. The blossoms are pristine white, devoid of any other hues, evoking the purity and clarity of fine jade.
The stark contrast between the pure white flowers and the rich green foliage creates a visually striking composition. This natural color palette, combined with the plant’s neat growth habit, results in a specimen of high ornamental value suitable for various landscaping applications and indoor displays.
Cultivation of Pen Tip Jasmine requires attention to specific care requirements:
With proper care, Pen Tip Jasmine can be a rewarding addition to any garden or indoor plant collection, offering both visual appeal and olfactory delight throughout the year.
Also known as Strong Fragrant Golden Jasmine or Golden Jasmine, Jasminum odoratissimum is a highly prized ornamental shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant, bright yellow flowers. This evergreen species typically blooms from late spring through early summer (May to June), with its fruits ripening in autumn (October to November).
Native to the Canary Islands and Madeira, not the Mediterranean and Asia Minor as previously stated, this jasmine species thrives in warm, humid climates. It prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.5) and can tolerate temperatures down to about 20°F (-6°C), making it hardier than many tropical jasmine varieties.
In regions with colder winters, particularly in USDA zones 8 and below, it’s often cultivated in containers. This allows gardeners to move the plant indoors during winter, preventing frost damage and leaf drop. When grown in pots, use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix and ensure adequate drainage holes.
Jasminum odoratissimum is highly valued in landscape design for its versatility and aesthetic appeal. Its glossy, dark green foliage provides year-round interest, while its fragrant blooms add a sensory dimension to gardens. This species is particularly well-suited for:
The plant’s heat and drought tolerance, once established, makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes in warmer climates. However, regular watering during its first growing season is crucial for establishing a deep, extensive root system.
To maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth, prune after flowering. This also helps prevent the plant from becoming too woody or leggy. Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth and abundant blooming.
While primarily grown for ornamental purposes, some jasmine species have traditional medicinal uses. However, it’s important to note that Jasminum odoratissimum is not typically used for these purposes, and any medicinal use should be under professional guidance.
This superior fragrant and evergreen shrub continues to captivate gardeners and landscapers both domestically and internationally, offering a perfect blend of beauty, fragrance, and relatively easy care.
Chrysanthemum Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum), also known as Star Jasmine or Winter Jasmine, is a prized variety in the Oleaceae family. As its name suggests, this cultivar produces flowers that bear a striking resemblance to chrysanthemums, earning it the regal title “King of Jasmines” in northern regions.
This evergreen shrub or vine stands out among jasmine varieties due to its impressive floral display. The blooms are significantly larger than those of common jasmine (Jasminum officinale), boasting a diameter of up to 4 cm.
These flowers are characterized by their double-layered structure, featuring numerous overlapping petals that create a full, chrysanthemum-like appearance. The pristine white petals contrast beautifully against the dark green foliage, enhancing its ornamental value.
The leaves of Chrysanthemum Jasmine are notably different from common jasmine varieties. They are broader, darker in color, and possess a glossier surface, which adds to the plant’s aesthetic appeal even when not in bloom. This foliage characteristic makes it an excellent choice for year-round ornamental use in gardens, as hedges, or in containers.
While Chrysanthemum Jasmine is highly valued for its ornamental qualities, it presents some challenges in propagation. Unlike common jasmine, which readily propagates from cuttings, this variety has a lower success rate when using this method.
Gardeners and horticulturists often find that it requires more careful attention to environmental conditions and rooting hormones to achieve successful propagation.
Despite its propagation challenges, Chrysanthemum Jasmine remains a favorite among jasmine enthusiasts for its stunning flowers, attractive foliage, and the sweet, intoxicating fragrance typical of the jasmine family. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining, fertile soil.
With proper care, including regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage blooming, this jasmine variety can be a showstopping addition to any garden or landscape design.
Yellow Jasmine, botanically known as Gelsemium sempervirens, is an essential addition to any list of fragrant and beautiful climbing vines, often mistaken for true jasmines due to its similar characteristics.
This evergreen perennial typically reaches heights of 3-6 meters (10-20 feet) when provided with proper support, though it can be maintained as a compact shrub at 60-100 cm (2-3 feet) with regular pruning.
The flowers of Yellow Jasmine are borne in clusters at the ends of branches, typically blooming from late winter to early spring, with some cultivars offering sporadic flowering throughout the year. These blossoms open progressively, often unfurling in the afternoon and releasing their fragrance most intensely in the evening.
Each flower is a vivid golden-yellow, trumpet or funnel-shaped bloom measuring 2-4 cm (0.8-1.6 inches) long. The corolla has five fused petals with delicately wavy edges, creating a seamless, star-shaped appearance rather than distinct petals. This unique structure contributes to the plant’s alternative common name, “Carolina Jessamine.”
The fragrance of Yellow Jasmine is sweet and refreshing, with subtle citrus notes. This scent is not only pleasing to humans but also attracts various pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens.
Yellow Jasmine thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-9, preferring warm, humid climates with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It performs best in full sun to partial shade, with morning sun and afternoon shade being ideal in hotter regions.
While generally low-maintenance, this plant is not cold-hardy and requires protection in regions with harsh winters. In zones 6 and below, it’s advisable to grow Yellow Jasmine in containers that can be moved indoors during freezing temperatures. Mulching the root zone and providing wind protection can help mitigate frost damage for plants grown in borderline zones.
It’s important to note that all parts of Gelsemium sempervirens are toxic if ingested, containing alkaloids that can be harmful to humans and animals. Therefore, care should be taken when planting in areas accessible to children or pets.
With its stunning flowers, intoxicating fragrance, and versatile growth habit, Yellow Jasmine is a valuable addition to Southern gardens, fragrant landscapes, and vertical gardening projects.
Native to the Indian subcontinent, Furry Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum) is Indonesia’s national flower, also known as Downy Jasmine or Star Jasmine. This evergreen climber or sprawling shrub can reach heights of 3-6 meters, characterized by its slender, cylindrical, and arching branches densely covered in distinctive golden-brown pubescence.
The leaves are opposite, simple, and ovate to cordate in shape, measuring 2-7 cm long. They have a papery texture, with acuminate or obtuse tips, and are often slightly pubescent, especially on the veins. The foliage provides a lush backdrop for the flowers year-round.
The flowers are highly fragrant, pure white, and star-shaped, typically 2-2.5 cm in diameter. They form in dense terminal or axillary clusters, each blossom featuring a slender corolla tube that’s elongated and narrowly funnel-shaped, opening into 5-9 spreading lobes. The calyx is notably furry, giving rise to one of its common names.
Blooming primarily in late autumn through early spring, Furry Jasmine offers a profusion of flowers during a season when many other plants are dormant. This characteristic makes it an invaluable addition to gardens, providing both visual interest and fragrance during cooler months.
The fruit, though rarely seen in cultivation, is a small, elliptical berry that turns dark brown or black when ripe.
Furry Jasmine thrives in warm, tropical to subtropical climates (USDA zones 9-11) and prefers full sun to partial shade. It requires well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods, but the soil should not be waterlogged. While tolerant of various soil pH levels, slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0-7.0) are ideal.
This species responds well to regular fertilization during the growing season, which promotes lush growth and abundant flowering. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring and mid-summer is typically sufficient. Pruning after the main flowering period helps maintain shape and encourages bushier growth.
Though frost-tender, Furry Jasmine’s tolerance for cooler temperatures makes it suitable for temperate regions as a conservatory plant or summer bedding option. In colder climates, it can be grown in containers and moved indoors during winter.
Its rapid growth, fragrant flowers, and winter-blooming habit make Furry Jasmine an excellent choice for courtyard greening, trellises, pergolas, or as a fragrant hedge. It’s also valued in aromatherapy and traditional medicine for its calming properties.
Dual-color Jasmine, scientifically known as Jasminum polyanthum ‘Dual-Color’, is a captivating cultivar also referred to as Mandarin Duck Jasmine or Two-Tone Jasmine. This variety earns its moniker from the remarkable color transformation of its flowers throughout their blooming cycle.
The floral display begins with deep purple buds that unfurl into vibrant, star-shaped blossoms. As the flowers mature, they undergo a gradual metamorphosis, transitioning from their initial rich purple hue to a delicate pinkish-purple before finally fading to pristine white. This color progression typically occurs over a period of 3-5 days, depending on environmental conditions.
Due to the asynchronous blooming pattern of the plant, flowers at various stages of development are often present simultaneously on a single specimen. This creates a stunning visual effect, with purple, pink, and white flowers coexisting in a harmonious display, mimicking the appearance of different jasmine species blooming together.
The flowers of the Dual-Color Jasmine are notably larger than those of common jasmine varieties, often reaching 2-3 cm in diameter. They exude a sweet, intoxicating fragrance characteristic of jasmines, which intensifies during evening hours to attract nocturnal pollinators.
This versatile jasmine variety excels as both an indoor and outdoor plant:
As a vigorous climber, Dual-Color Jasmine can be trained on trellises, arbors, or allowed to cascade from hanging baskets. Its lush, evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, while its spectacular floral display typically occurs from late winter to early spring, with some reblooming possible in favorable conditions.
For optimal growth and flowering:
Whether adorning a sunny indoor nook or gracing an outdoor courtyard, the Dual-Color Jasmine offers a unique and enchanting floral spectacle, combining the classic allure of jasmine with an extraordinary color-changing performance.
Vine Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum), also known as Suzhou Jasmine or Pink Jasmine, is a vigorous, twining evergreen climber native to China. Its slender, flexible stems require support for optimal growth. While the individual flowers are small, measuring about 2 cm in diameter, they appear abundantly in clusters at every leaf axil, creating a spectacular display.
This species primarily exists in two distinct varieties: single-petaled and double-petaled.
The single-petaled variety, characterized by its elegantly tapered buds, unfurls to reveal a simple yet charming flower with a single layer of petals. These blossoms emit an intensely sweet fragrance that permeates the air. However, this variety tends to have a slower growth rate and produces fewer flowers compared to its double-petaled counterpart.
In contrast, the double-petaled variety boasts fuller, more spherical buds that open into lush, multi-layered blooms. This cultivar exhibits rapid growth and is notably easier to cultivate. It yields a profusion of flowers that release a potent, intoxicating scent. The robust nature and prolific flowering of this variety have made it a popular choice for gardeners across various regions.
Both varieties of Vine Jasmine thrive in well-drained, fertile soil and prefer full sun to partial shade. They are hardy in USDA zones 8-10 but can be grown as container plants in colder climates, brought indoors during winter. Regular pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and encourages bushier growth.
Vine Jasmine’s adaptability to different growing conditions, combined with its enchanting fragrance and attractive foliage, has contributed to its widespread cultivation throughout China and beyond. It is particularly valued in ornamental horticulture for its use in trellises, arbors, and as a fragrant, flowering groundcover.
Windmill Jasmine, scientifically known as Trachelospermum jasminoides, is an evergreen woody vine from the Apocynaceae family. Despite its common name, it’s not a true jasmine but rather a close mimic in appearance and fragrance. The plant’s distinctive star-shaped flowers with their pinwheel-like arrangement of petals inspire its evocative name.
This versatile climber boasts a vigorous growth rate and highly trailing branches, making it an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, and ground cover. The flowers typically measure 1-2 cm in diameter and bloom profusely from late spring through early summer, with sporadic flowering possible throughout warmer months.
Windmill Jasmine is renowned for its intense, sweet fragrance that intensifies in the evening, attracting pollinators and enhancing garden ambiance. The glossy, dark green leaves provide an attractive backdrop for the flowers and maintain year-round interest in warmer climates.
While the classic pure white variety is most common, cultivars have expanded the color palette:
Cultivation of Windmill Jasmine is relatively straightforward. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. In colder regions, it can be grown as a container plant and overwintered indoors. Regular pruning helps maintain shape and encourage dense growth, while also controlling its vigorous nature in optimal conditions.
The plant’s adaptability, low maintenance requirements, and attractive year-round foliage make it a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether used as a fragrant climber, a cascading element in hanging baskets, or a ground cover, Windmill Jasmine adds a touch of elegance and a delightful scent to any garden setting.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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