Jasminum officinale detail(27/04/2011, London)
Position: Flourishes in full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Moist but well drained, will tolerate a wide pH.
Flowering period: Summer to early autumn.
Eventual Height: 12m
Eventual Spread: (indefinite)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a-10b
Family: Oleaceae
Jasminum officinale is a semi-deciduous climber with a vigouras twinning habit. It has opposite, pinnate, mid green leaves composed of 5 to 9 elliptic leaflets with pointed tips. It bears terminal, umbel like cymes, which consist of clusters of 5 slaverform, white, fragrant flowers that release their scent at dusk.
Known simply as Jasmine, J. officinale has been cultivated to such an extent that its native origins have been lost to time; the Chinese believed it to be from Byzantium in the third Century and Linneas believed it to have originated in Switzerland. Its essential oils are extracted for use in perfumes, aromatherapy and is a valuable commodity, extracted from flowers picked at night.
Jasminum is said to be derived from ysmyn, the Arabic for the species with officinale is derived from the Latin translating as ‘of the shop’.
Jasminum officinale (27/04/2011, London)
This plant is highly usefull to the landscape architect as an excellent large climber that can cover a large structure with a single plant. In the south of England it is also usually an evergreen plant. It is also of note for its strongly scented flowers, being particularly fragrant at night as it releases its essential oils at dusk.
The plant will tolerate a wide pH range so long as the soil is free draining, but should be planted in a sheltered location with a west or south facing aspect.
Ecologically this plant will attract pollinating insects such as bees, which feed on its nectar.
The Royal Horticultural Society have given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Maintenance: requires little to no care, thin old shoots should be pruned out after flowering.
