Winter Jasmine (Jasminum Nudiflorum):Grow and Care Guide

Winter Jasmine’s scientific name, “Jasminum Nudiflorum,” also known as “Yingchun” in native China, means “Flower that welcomes spring.” It is given this name because it is the first flower to bloom in late winter, a sign of spring. Winter jasmine is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub that belongs to the Oleacea or Olive family. Olive trees, forsythia, and lilacs belong to the winter jasmine family. 

It has slender, twisted branches with slinky stems. The branches of winter jasmine can be trained to trail the walls and fences, adding beauty to the landscapes and symbolizing grace and elegance. Winter jasmine leaves are ovate with trifoliate leaflets. 

Origin and History

Winter jasmine is from Tibet and China and was discovered in 1844 by a Scottish plant collector, Robert Fortune. Robert worked for the Royal Horticultural Society. He spotted a potted plant in a nursery in Shanghai, China. He was amazed by the cheerful bloom that brightened up the gloomy winters. Thus, he purchased the plant and brought it back to Europe. 

Winter jasmine was first grown in the US and UK in the late nineteenth century and the start of the twentieth century. This flower adds charm to the gardens with its attractive color and shape. The Royal Society of Horticulture awarded garden merit to winter Jasmine in 1984. 

Characteristics Of Winter Jasmine

The characteristics of winter jasmine are categorized as follows:

General Characteristics 

Characteristics	Features
Origin	Southeastern Tibet to Central China
Foliage	Deciduous

Physical Characteristics 

Characteristics	Features
Height	10 to 15 feet tall
Width	3 to 6 feet wide
Flower color	Bright yellow
Flower shape	Funnel shaped
Petal count	6 petals
Leaf shape	Ovate to oblong ovate
Leaf arrangement	Opposite and trifoliate leaflets
Stem characteristics	Green and quadrangular stem

Environmental Characteristics 

Characteristics	Features
Habitat	Ravines, thickets and slopes at altitude of 800-4500 meters in western China
Soil type	Well-draining soil
Soil pH	6.5-7.5
Sun exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness	Drought tolerance and can tolerate low temperature up-to -5°F
Water requirements	Low water requirement

How to Grow Winter Jasmine

Here, we discuss the propagation methods, plantation, and transplanting of potted plants bought from the plant nursery for winter jasmine.

Propagation

Propagation is as easy as falling off a log for growing winter jasmine because of the vigorous growth of this plant.

By germination of seeds

When using the seed to grow the plant, start developing it indoors until it is warm enough to implant it in the garden. Before sowing in the potting soil, soak the seeds overnight at room temperature. 

• Sow the seeds about 1/8th inch deep and cover it with soil. 
• The flowering pots should be placed where they get at least 10 hours of sunlight daily. 
• Water the planted seeds regularly so that the soil remains moist. 
• Keep the pots in plastic wrap or close plastic storage to sustain humidity. Seeds take about two to four weeks to germinate. 
• After germination, let them grow up to six inches in height. Then, they can be grown anywhere in the ground or a container.

By cuttings

Cuttings should be picked up carefully:

• Find a healthy cane and trim underneath the leaf node, six inches from the tip. Remove the leaves except for a few at the tip. 
• Prepare pots or flats by adding coconut coir and sand in an equal ratio. 
• Press it and water until the medium becomes damp. 
• Remove the bark at the bottom end of the canes and put them in rooting hormone powder. 
• Place the canes loosely into the soil with some space among them or one in each pot. 
• If available, place the container in a clear plastic storage or greenhouse.
• The containers should be kept in a place with indirect exposure to sunlight and at a temperature of 65 to 75°F.  
• The cuttings take about a month to root. Water the pots regularly to protect them from drying out. 
• When the plant starts to thrive, relocate it to an enormous container and let it harden until transplanted to the permanent location. 

By layering

Winter jasmine can form roots where its cane touches the ground. Layering is also a very reliable way to grow winter jasmine. It can save a lot of time for seeds to sprout and root cuttings. 

• Pick a low-lying branch from the plant; remove leaves except at the tip and make 2 to 3 shallow cuts in circles to stimulate root formation. 
• Pull the branch towards the ground and ensure the cut segment is in contact with the ground. Tie it with a brick or use wire to keep it in place. 
• The branch will form roots in 2 to 4 weeks. 
• Ensure the soil is moist during this period. After forming the initial root system, separate the cane and transplant it at the desired location. 

Plantation

Winter jasmine in pots is available at almost every nursery. For all methods of growing winter jasmine, whether seed germination, cuttings, or purchased plants, the plant must be relocated to its permanent spot. Winter jasmine is ideally grown at 60°F during the day in spring.

Before purchasing a plant from the nursery, you must ensure it is disease-free and healthy. Dig a hole the same depth and width as the plant’s root system. Locate the plant and fill the hole with soil. Press down the soil and water well to make the soil settle.

Maintenance and Care

Winter jasmine is a hardy plant that does not need much care, but there are still some notable points.

Adding Nutrients

Add potassium-based fertilizers or compost to the soil to keep your plant happy and healthy. Potassium provides pest resistance and stability to the plant. Nutrients are essential for the robust growth of any plant.  Amend the soil with compost to provide nutrients. Enriched soil ensures vigorous growth. Adding mulch to the lower zones of the plant prevents weeds and helps to maintain moisture. 

Pruning

After winter jasmine blooms, the plant should be pruned immediately in the late spring to make space for developing new growth for the coming season. Snip one branch followed by the other to make the flowers grow in pattern. Pruning also helps to avoid weeds. Make sure to cut the canes to prevent overgrowth. If pruning is not done, the plant may look out of shape and messy. While pruning, one should remember that the flower will bloom on old growth.

Protection from Pests

Winter jasmine is not a pest-prone plant and is not very likely affected by aphids, but they can spread disease by penetrating their mouths. Neem oil and insecticidal soap can help to keep the plant free of mealybugs and occasional aphids.

Watering

Water plants in their early stages of growth until they develop strong roots. At the same time, avoid overwatering, as it may damage the plant and favors the occurrence of root rot. Winter jasmine is hardy and can withstand heat and drought. However, the plant needs to be nurtured in evenly moist soil.

Plant Health

These two critical factors can affect the plant health these are:

• Diseases: Vulnerable to yellow edge disease and honey fungus (rare).
• Pests: Vulnerable to scale insects, aphids, and mealybugs. It may also be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mites.

Read Also: Insect Pests and Treatment

Benefits and Uses of Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine has many benefits.

Ornamental Plant

It is an ornamental plant. The eye-catching bright yellow color flowers of winter jasmine, with its elegant slender branches, enhance the beauty and charm of the landscape. It adds life to the garden.

Winter jasmine in summer appears discreet, forming thick green foliage.

Hardiness

Another benefit of winter jasmine is its hardiness. Due to its drought-tolerant nature, this flower can survive in cold and harsh climates. Furthermore, this flower’s miracle is that it blooms in early spring and late winter when other flowers never bloom. Hence, it drives away winter gloom and cheers up dull winters. 

Ground Cover and Climbing Ability

This can be grown as ground cover, which helps reduce soil erosion. Its arching branches can trail the wall and givie a stunning view. 

Medicine

Winter jasmine is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its leaves and flowers are used in making tea, which is supposed to have various medical benefits, like boosting immunity and improving digestion. In some parts of India, the bark of this beautiful plant is used to treat burns.

People Ask

Q: Is winter jasmine edible?

A: It is non-toxic plant. It is used in making herbal tea. However, in some people it may cause stomach discomfort.

Q: is winter jasmine fragrant?

A: It is Non-fragrant.

Last Words

This could be a good addition by the gardeners because it is a flowering shrub plant for ground cover with bright yellow blooms in late January to February, less maintenance and drought tolerant.