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Jasmines are one of the best smelling plants you can grow in your homestead. This evergreen tropical plant is famous for its glossy green leaves and strong fragrance from its small white blooms. The best spot for enjoying its scent and beauties on summer evenings is on the patio or in containers placed near windows. Besides being ornamental, jasmines have several health benefits. Here are easy tips for growing and caring for these fragrant plants at home.
Types of Jasmine Flowers
There are different types of jasmine flowers, and here are the best for your home garden:
Jasminum officinale (Common Jasmine)
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This variety is also known as True Jasmine, Summer Jasmine, White Jasmine, Poet’s Jasmine, or Common White Jasmine. Common Jasmine is a state flower of Pakistan and is renowned for its strong fragrance. It bears spotless five-petaled white flowers and pointed leaves. The flowering season for this jasmine variety is summer. However, it can also flower in other seasons if you plant it in a controlled environment such as indoors or in a greenhouse. This fast-growing plant can attain up to 15 feet in height.
Jasminum Nudiflorum (Winter Jasmine)
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Unlike other jasmines that produce white flowers, this variety bears bright yellow flowers. However, this variety is hardly fragrant. Winter Jasmine is one of the popular choices for off-season flowers as they bloom in late winter and early spring. This variety is best for growing on trellises or wall-side borders. You can also grow winter Jasmine as ground covers for protecting your garden against soil erosion. This jasmine flower can grow 4 feet wide and 7 feet tall.
Jasminum Grandiflorum (Royal/Spanish Jasmine)
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This species is commonly grown for food and perfumes purposes. It produces pure white tubular flowers with red edges at times. Typically, it blooms late spring through summer into early fall. Spanish jasmine is good for covering trellises and fences, and it can grow to about 40 feet tall.
Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine)
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This Chinese-origin flower is commemorated for its spectacular floral show. Its strong evergreen vines yield collections of long-tubed pinkish-white florets that come with an intense fragrance. Pink jasmines are common decorative plants thanks to their sophisticated beauty and delightful aroma. This variety can bloom throughout the year, and it will need little maintenance, which includes frequent pruning when flowering. Pink jasmine can reach a height of 20 feet.
Jasminum Sambac (Arabian Jasmine)
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As the name suggests, Arabian jasmine originates from the Arab Peninsula, and it thrives best in warm environments. It can reach 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide. This shrub consists of small but charming white multi-layered flowers that look elegant against the shiny, dark green leaves. On maturity, its flowers turn to faded pink. Besides being an ornamental plant, this variety adds flavor to Chinese tea. Arabian jasmine looks spectacular in glass containers.
Jasmine Flowers Care and Maintenance
Once jasmine plants have grown, they are easy to care for and maintain. They love well-draining soils and sunny environments. Denying them sun may inhibit their flowering. Jasmines are not frost-resistant; you will need to bring them indoors when it is extremely cold outdoors. Regular pruning is recommendable after blooming.
Propagating Jasmine Flowers
The easiest way to propagate jasmines is by rooting the cuttings of a healthy and vigorous jasmine plant. Besides propagating its rooting, you can also plant jasmines from seeds.
Jasmine Flowers Growth Conditions
Light
Jasmines thrive in full sunlight or partial shade. When growing them indoors, ensure they get direct sunlight for about 6 hours daily.
Water
Jasmines are moist-loving plants. They require regular watering to produce fragrant flowers. When at the rooting stage, you should water them frequently during the week. Once they mature, you can reduce watering them to about once a week.
Temperature and Humidity
Jasmine plants love warm and humid environments. Tender jasmine plants will not survive in temperatures under 35 degrees Fahrenheit. But when they mature, they become hardy to lower temperatures of about 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jasmine Flowers Pests and Diseases
Aphids and mealybugs are common pests on jasmine plants. Get rid of mealybugs and aphids infestation by applying insecticidal soap, neem oil, or splashing a stream of water.
Jasmines are susceptible to fungal issues like blight, fusarium wilt, and rust. You can treat these fungal issues by spraying a mixture of baking soda and water or using a chemical fungicide.
Conclusion
Jasmines are fragrant and showy plants that you will love to have at home. To enjoy their strong scented and showy florets, introduce them to your home garden today. Subscribe to our blog to learn more about gardening.
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