The Star Jasmine Bonsai Tree, scientific name Trachelospermum jasminoides, is a beautiful evergreen vine with glossy dark green leaves and white fragrant flowers.
Keep in mind that Star Jasmine is not a true jasmine but is so-named because of its rich fragrance. Because of its climbing habits, it is often used as a ground cover or on a high retaining wall.
Additional Information
Family: Apocynaceae
Scientific name: Trachelospermum jasminoides
Common Names: Star Jasmine, Confederate Jasmine, Trader’s Compass.
Origin: Native to eastern and southeastern Asia, into Japan, Korea, southern China, and Vietnam.
Appearance: It is a twining evergreen vine with opposite, oval-shaped, glossy leaves pointed at both ends.
Flowering: In the late spring and early summer, it produces fragrant, waxy, snow-white, flowers with a tube-like corolla opening out into five petal-like lobes. They grow in clusters and fade from white to light pink as they age. Flowers are followed by fruits, which are slender follicles with seeds.
Outdoor/Indoor Use: Both.
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.
Water Requirements: It requires regular watering. Can tolerate drought for a short period of time when mature enough.
Hardiness: Grows best in the USDA Zones 8a – 11. Needs to be protected from cold temperatures below 40F.
Insects and Diseases: Generally very healthy plant but can get into trouble with pythium, phytophthora root rot, and leaf spots.
Propagation: By softwood cuttings and simple layering.
