Jasmine Plants: Choosing The Right Fragrant Variety

Jasmine is a fragrant flower that is commonly associated with a sweet, romantic aroma. While not all varieties of jasmine are scented, the plant is often sought after for its intense fragrance. The Jasminum genus contains over 200 vines and shrubs, some of which are better suited to indoor or outdoor cultivation. When considering which jasmine plant to buy for its aroma, popular choices include Common Jasmine, Spanish Jasmine, Primrose Jasmine, Angel Wing Jasmine, Arabian Jasmine, Common White Jasmine, Crape Jasmine, and Pink Jasmine.

Angel Wing Jasmine: low, sprawling growth, ideal for pots and containers

Angel Wing Jasmine (Jasminum nitidum) is a beautiful addition to any garden, especially if you're looking for a plant that will fill your space with a sweet aroma. This plant is part shrub and part vine, and its growth habit mimics that of vines—it likes to spread out!

Angel Wing Jasmine is ideal for those looking for groundcover or a filler between shrubs. It can also be trained to climb fences, trellises, arbors, and pergolas, adding texture and movement to your garden. This plant is a great choice if you're looking for something to spill out of containers or planters, as it grows thick and lush.

In terms of care, Angel Wing Jasmine prefers full to partial sun and moist, well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. Pruning is recommended to maintain its shape and size, but this should be done after flowering to avoid removing the current season's flowers.

The flowers of the Angel Wing Jasmine are white with purple undersides and typically open at night, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Blooming from spring through summer, they are a delight for the senses and are sure to enhance your outdoor space.

Arabian Jasmine: tropical species with thick, glossy leaves and small white flowers

If you're looking for a jasmine plant with an intense aroma, then Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is a great choice. This tropical species is native to Southeast Asia and is known for its exotic, alluring fragrance. With its thick, glossy, dark green leaves and small white flowers, it makes a beautiful addition to any garden or patio.

The Arabian jasmine plant is a fast-growing evergreen climbing shrub that can also be trained as a vine or maintained as a sprawling shrub. Its oval leaves are about 3 inches long and have a glossy, dark green colour, providing a beautiful contrast to the highly fragrant white flowers. These flowers, which have a typical rich, sweet, fruity, and sensual jasmine scent, grow in clusters of 3 to 12 blooms at the end of the stems. As they mature, the flowers turn from white to a light pink and then to yellowish-brown.

Arabian jasmine thrives in warm, tropical climates and is very susceptible to frost. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, moist soil. Regular watering is important to keep the soil moist, but be sure to avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. Fertilizing the plant during its growing season in spring and summer will help support its abundant blooming.

Due to its fast growth and vining nature, Arabian jasmine is considered an invasive species in some tropical areas outside of its native regions. Before planting, it is important to check if there are any restrictions on growing this species in your area.

Arabian jasmine is not just prized for its fragrance but also for its practical uses. The floral aroma is used to scent jasmine tea, and the flowers are often used in leis in Hawaii, where it is known as "pikake". In parts of India, jasmine flowers are included as decor in the newlyweds' bedroom during weddings, as they are believed to have an aphrodisiac effect. The essential oil derived from the flowers is also used in aromatherapy to improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression.

Common White Jasmine: also known as poet's jasmine, hardy and fragrant

Common White Jasmine, also known as Poet's Jasmine, is a highly fragrant variety of the flower, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to fill their garden or home with the sweet scent of jasmine. This large semi-evergreen or deciduous climbing shrub is a favourite among gardeners for its vigorous growth, graceful appearance, and strong fragrance.

Poet's Jasmine, or Jasminum officinale, is a fast-growing plant that can reach heights of 15 to 30 feet. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil of medium moisture. It is best situated in a warm, sheltered location and is drought and pollution tolerant. The plant is resistant to most pests and diseases and is even deer-resistant.

The starry, pure-white flowers of the Common White Jasmine are about an inch in diameter and bloom in clusters from late spring to early summer. Blooming continues throughout the summer until frost, and the plant responds well to severe pruning after flowering, quickly bouncing back with new growth.

Common White Jasmine can be grown as a vine, sprawling shrub, ground cover, or in containers. It is an excellent choice for coastal gardens and can be trained to climb up arbors, pergolas, or trellises. The plant is native to Asia and has been a part of various cultures worldwide, including India, where married women wear jasmine flowers in their hair.

The intoxicating fragrance of Common White Jasmine has been cherished for centuries, with the flower being used in some of the world's most famous perfumes. The essential oil derived from the plant's white flowers is believed to offer various health benefits, including reducing depressive symptoms and improving mood.

Crape Jasmine: ornamental species, especially fragrant at sunset and in the evenings

Crape Jasmine, also known as Cape Jasmine or Crepe Jasmine, is a highly ornamental species that is especially fragrant in the evenings. This makes it perfect for placing near a patio, screened lanai, or pool cage, where you can enjoy its sweet scent as the sun goes down.

Crape Jasmine is an evergreen shrub or small tree, with a tall, wide crown and a rounded form. It is often admired for its spiralling pinwheel-like white flowers, which are particularly prominent in the warmer months, and its dark green, glossy evergreen leaves. The flowers have a light fragrance in the morning and evening, though some gardeners report no fragrance at all.

Crape Jasmine is easy to grow and flowers heavily during the growing season. It can be grown as a shrub or small tree, usually reaching a height of 6 to 10 feet. It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 9B to 11, making it suitable for gardens in Central and South Florida. It grows well in full sun to shade but prefers partial shade and will flower there. It also needs regular watering, especially during hot weather.

Crape Jasmine is a great choice for creating a shrubbery border, a specimen plant, or a foundation planting against a windowless wall. It can also be used for understory planting amid tall palms and trees, as a backdrop plant for smaller shrubs and flowers, or to add height and interest to blank walls. With its exquisite fragrance and beautiful form, the Crape Jasmine will undoubtedly enhance your landscape.

Jasminum polyanthum: commonly used for growing jasmine indoors

If you're looking for a jasmine plant to fill your home with its sweet aroma, Jasminum polyanthum is the variety most commonly used for growing jasmine indoors. It has a sweet fragrance, especially in the evenings, and is known for its ability to fill a room with its scent.

Jasminum polyanthum is a twining climber that is best grown as a houseplant, ideally in a conservatory or a large pot. It is a vigorous climber that bears numerous star-shaped small flowers. The flowers are tiny, but they pack a punch when it comes to fragrance. The scented flowers can last for many weeks due to the sheer number of blooms, which open in sequence.

To care for your Jasminum polyanthum, provide it with bright light and some direct sun if possible. A south-facing window is the perfect spot to grow this plant. During its flowering and active growth stages, it will need plenty of water, and the soil should be kept moist almost all the time. However, be careful not to overwater, as soggy conditions can be detrimental.

Temperature is also an important factor for this plant. During the warmer months, it will accommodate higher temperatures without issue. However, in winter, it requires cooler temperatures to thrive. Ideally, place it in a cooler spot, such as a bathroom or unheated hallway, to prolong the scent and maintain the health of the plant.

Pruning and training are essential for Jasminum polyanthum. It is a fast-growing plant, and without proper pruning and training, it can become unruly. Regular pruning will help keep it under control and promote a neat, bushy appearance.

With the right care and conditions, your Jasminum polyanthum will fill your home with its delightful fragrance and provide you with a beautiful and fragrant houseplant.

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