Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel'
ABOUT
The 'Waterwheel' variety of star jasmine is an attractive plant known for its lush, glossy green foliage and its propensity to bloom with an abundance of fragrant white flowers. The leaves are oval-shaped and maintain their vibrant color throughout the year, making the plant an excellent choice for a year-round green presence in a garden or landscape setting. When in bloom, the star jasmine produces star-shaped flowers that are not only visually appealing, but also emit a sweet, intoxicating scent that can fill the surrounding air, especially in the evenings. These blossoms generally appear in the spring and early summer, offering a delightful display that is both visually and aromatically pleasing. The contrast between the dark leaves and the pure white flowers adds an element of sophistication and charm to the plant's appearance. Star jasmine is often appreciated for its versatility and can be trained to grow on trellises or used as a ground cover, depending on the gardener's preference and the plant’s environment.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Apocynaceae.
Synonyms
Star Jasmine, Confederate Jasmine, Chinese Star Jasmine, Trader's Compass, Confederate Jessamine.
Common names
Rhynchospermum jasminoides, Trachelospermum jasminoides.
ToxicityTo humans
Star Jasmine, when ingested, can potentially cause gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It's essential to handle this plant with care to prevent skin irritation, which can also be caused by its sap.
To pets
Star Jasmine is regarded as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, it's still wise to prevent pets from ingesting plants as a general precautionary measure, as individual reactions can vary, and other non-toxic issues like intestinal blockage could occur if they eat a significant amount.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Dark green
Flower color
White
Height
3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters)
Spread
3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
8-10
Native area
East Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic appeal: Adds beauty to gardens with its glossy evergreen leaves and clusters of white, fragrant flowers.
- Privacy: Can be used as a screen or hedge to create privacy in garden spaces.
- Versatility: Suitable for training on walls, fences, or trellises, and can be grown as ground cover or in containers.
- Landscape enhancement: Offers year-round interest with its foliage and seasonal blooms, enhancing the overall landscape design.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, requiring minimal watering.
- Low maintenance: Requires little care beyond the occasional pruning to keep its shape and remove any dead or damaged growth.
- Attracts wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
- Fragrance: The sweet scent of the flowers can create a pleasant aromatic environment in the surrounding area.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Sound Barrier: Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel', commonly known as star jasmine, can be used to create a dense hedge that acts as an effective natural sound barrier to reduce traffic or neighborhood noise.
- Shade Provider: The thick foliage of star jasmine can be trained over pergolas and arbors to provide a cool, shaded area in gardens and patios during hot summer months.
- Privacy Screen: When grown on trellises or fences, star jasmine can provide privacy for homes or outdoor areas, blocking the view from neighbors or passersby.
- Visual Interest in Winter: Even in dormancy, the evergreen leaves of star jasmine maintain their color, offering visual interest in gardens that otherwise lack color in winter.
- Erosion Control: Star jasmine’s dense root system can help stabilize soil on slopes or in areas prone to erosion.
- Ground Cover: It can be used as a ground cover in landscape design to cover large areas with its dense mat of foliage, reducing weed growth and maintenance work.
- Fragrant Pathways: When planted alongside walkways, the fragrant flowers of star jasmine can provide a pleasant aromatic experience for people as they walk by.
- Vertical Accents in Garden Design: Star jasmine can be trained to grow on narrow vertical structures, adding height and a vertical component to garden design without taking up much horizontal space.
- Backdrop for Other Plants: Its dark green foliage serves as an excellent backdrop to highlight colorful flowering plants in a garden composition.
- Living Fence: Star jasmine, when grown densely, can be used to create a 'living fence' which serves as both a boundary and an aesthetic addition to the landscape.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Star Jasmine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Star Jasmine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Affection: Often referred to as Star Jasmine, this plant's sweet fragrance and delicate white flowers are traditionally associated with love and are often used in weddings and romantic occasions.
- Purity and Innocence: Star Jasmine's pristine white blossoms symbolize cleanliness and virtuousness, making it a common choice for celebrations that mark new beginnings and pure intentions, such as baptisms and christenings.
- Beauty and Sensuality: With its attractive appearance and sensual, heavy scent, Star Jasmine is frequently tied to the concept of beauty and sensuality, embodying the idea of physical and aesthetic pleasure.
- Night and Dreaming: Because Star Jasmine's flowers are most fragrant at night, it is often connected with nocturnal themes and the world of dreams, symbolizing mystery and the subconscious.
- Eternal Life: Star Jasmine is an evergreen plant, which allows it to represent immortality and eternal life, a common theme in various cultures that use evergreens to symbolize the undying nature of the soul.
WaterThe star jasmine should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. It typically requires watering once a week, but during particularly hot or dry periods, it may require more frequent watering, like every few days. The goal is to maintain consistent soil moisture. Provide enough water to soak the root zone, which might equate to 1-2 gallons for an established plant, depending on its size and the prevailing weather conditions.
LightStar jasmine thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The best spot for the plant is an area that receives direct sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day, while being protected from the harsh afternoon sun, which can prevent leaf scorch. Dappled sunlight under a loose canopy or east-facing locations that provide bright morning light and afternoon shade are ideal spots.
TemperatureStar jasmine prefers temperatures between 60°F and 80°F for optimal growth but can survive in temperatures as low as 10°F to 15°F for short periods. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-10. Protecting the plant from frost is crucial to avoid damage to the foliage and buds.
PruningPrune star jasmine to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove any dead or diseased foliage. The best time to prune is after it has finished blooming, usually in late summer or early fall. Light pruning can be done throughout the year as needed to control growth or remove dead branches.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Star Jasmine prefers well-draining soil with a rich composition; a mix of loam, peat, and sand is ideal. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 for optimal growth.
RepottingStar Jasmine does not require frequent repotting; it should be done every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current pot.
Humidity & MistingStar Jasmine thrives in moderate to high humidity levels but is relatively adaptable to average household humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation for Star Jasmine.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade to full sun with shelter from strong winds for Star Jasmine.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleStar Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel') begins its life when a seed germinates, typically in spring, and a seedling emerges. The seedling then develops into a juvenile plant with vine-like growth, producing glossy evergreen leaves. As it matures, the plant enters a vegetative state during which it focuses on robust growth, extending its vines and creating a dense foliage cover. Once mature enough, usually within a few years, it starts its reproductive phase in late spring or early summer, producing clusters of fragrant, white flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, these flowers can develop into small, brown seed pods that release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Finally, Star Jasmine can enter a period of dormancy in colder climates during winter but will resume vigorous growth with the return of warm weather.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Waterwheel', commonly known as Star Jasmine, is most frequently propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The ideal time for this method is typically in the summer when the plant's growth is actively maturing but has not yet become woody. To propagate by cuttings, a gardener should select a healthy portion of the plant, usually a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) stem, making sure it includes at least two nodes. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut is made just below a node. The base of the cutting can be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development and then it is placed in a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept moist and in indirect light until roots have established, which can take several weeks.
