From April to September, the fragrant yellow flowers of this original variety of Star Jasmine look wonderful on a pergola or on a trellis.
What you need to know:
Botanical name: Trachelospermum jasminoides Star of Tuscany
Common name: Star jasmine, Tuscan jasmine, false jasmine
Family: Apocynaceae
Height : 3 to 4 m high, sometimes a little more. Average growth.
Foliage: shiny green, very decorative, persistent and leathery.
Flowering: Scented bright yellow, different from the classic Trachelospermum. (White). The 5 petals form a tube at their base. The twisted shape of the flowers makes think of a helix. The yellow flowers bloom from April to the end of September, with a pause more or less long during the summer, in July and August.
Fruit: Elongated pod-like fruits sometimes form after flowering in warm regions.
Exposure: Not very demanding, this false jasmine blooms generously in full sun, but it also tolerates a semi-shaded location.
Soil: All well-drained, rich soil. It is resistant to temporary drought.
Hardiness: -15°C
Maintenance of Trachelospermum Star of Tuscany
Pruning: Not very demanding, the Tuscan jasmine is content with a cleaning pruning, to be done at the end of the flowering period. Prune with a large shear to maintain a nice shape and keep this climber in an acceptable volume.
Staking: After planting, this vigorous vine needs help to cling to its support. Guide its stems to the support (trellis, wire mesh) on which its shoots will wrap.
Watering: This excellent climber can withstand a period of summer drought. Nevertheless, in a soil kept fresh by regular watering, this yellow jasmine will flower more.
The secret of its success: Trachelospermum Star of Tuscany resists the cold only if it is sheltered from the north wind or if it is planted at the foot of a protective wall. To obtain a magnificent bloom, offer it a wall exposed to the sun or the west, a very draining and even rather poor soil. When planted in enriched soil, it will be even more vigorous and can cover up to 15 m²!
Sensitivity to diseases: Like the white star jasmine, this variety is not very sensitive to pests and diseases.
Uses of the Tuscan Jasmine
The Tuscan jasmine is an excellent climber, including for small spaces, with little land.
Cultivate it in vat on a balcony, a terrace or in a big pot winterized in a veranda. But its development remains then modest (2 m) and very dependent on the contributions of fertilizers.