Saturday, May 14, 2011

Confederate Star Jasmine

It has small white flowers like stars or miniature pinwheels and shiny green oval leaves. Its sweet scent becomes more fragrant as evening approaches. Its flowers peak during the long days of May, in perfect time to perfume dinners on the deck before summer's mosquitoes drive us indoors. It's not native to the South, but I love it - confederate star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).






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8 comments :

Donna said...

One of my favorite smells in the world is jasmine....I am hoping the vine I found for zone 5 overwintered and made it through...somehow I doubt it...I first fell in love with it in Italy and absolutely cannot get enough of it in perfume oils.

Sheila said...

Oh, I hope the jasmine did overwinter for you, Donna. Mine overwinters in its pot, but I'm in zone 7B ... I love how the smell subtly gets stronger as the sun goes down. Sweet but not overpowering like so many fragrant flowers ...

Heather Holm said...

Hi Shelia,
I remember working in a greenhouse with jasmine and being overwhelmed with the smell in the mornings.
Heather

Sheila Read said...

Heather, it does seem more fragrant in the mornings - and probably would be overwhelming with multiple plants!

Kate/ Beyond the Brambles said...

Such a great entryway plant. Now I'm eyeing out those empty containers I have. . .hmm!

Sheila Read said...

It would be marvelous in an entryway. I think I'm making unnecessary trips onto the deck to smell it ...

PolkaDotGaloshes said...

Oh how I love this flower! The scent is just intoxicating and always says summer is on its way! love it! I just lost 3 of mine this winter, not sure if they really are suited for a Seattle climate...so sad! But will try again as I do love them so. Also, loving your blog...cheers =)

Sheila said...

Julia, I appreciate the positive feedback! I'm really enjoying doing the blog, so it's nice to hear that people are reading it and liking it. I hope your jasmine survived - but if not, I think it's worth growing even as an annual.