The Best Time to Plant Jasmine Vines in Florida

Planting

• Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7b through 10, star jasmine can be planted any time of the year throughout Florida. In the north and central regions, USDA zones 8 and 9, planting during winter months can give the plant's root system a head start on development before brisk foliage growth begins in spring. In southern Florida, USDA zone 10, planting in June through September takes advantage of the rainy season. This reduces the need for irrigation while your vine becomes established. Insulate roots and conserve soil moisture by placing 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch around the base of the vine. Always keep the mulch 1 to 3 inches away from stems to avoid problems with rot.

Care

• Throughout Florida, star jasmine grows easily without interference from any major pest or disease. Although it withstands partial shade, you'll maximize flowering by choosing a location in full sun. Not fussy about soil requirements, it adapts readily to clay, sand or loam soils. While mildly acidic soils may optimize root development, star jasmine tolerates moderately alkaline soils, salt water and salt spray. Vines in Florida need consistent soil moisture when first planted. Depending on your region of the state, time of year and rainfall amounts, daily watering may be needed initially. Once the vine is established, normal irrigation schedules and rainfall should be more than adequate, and it will tolerate minor drought. Other than pruning to control the vine's exuberance, no special care is required. Pruning can be done any time throughout the year.

Characteristics

• Once star jasmine settles into its home, growth becomes very vigorous. Its slender, twining stems can reach up to 40 feet. Glossy, dark, evergreen leaves less than 2 inches in length couple with intensely fragrant flowers that appear in Florida in April and May. The five-petaled, brilliant-white flowers look like tiny windmills about 1 inch across. Though dense in its growth, star jasmine maintains a finely textured look as the spiraling stems encircle their supports. Use it on trellises, pergolas, fences, walls and anywhere you want to soften a hard-scape with a vertical vine or even a vining ground cover.

Cultivars

• Two star jasmine cultivars enjoy international popularity. "Japonicum" (Trachelospermum jasminoides "Japonicum") displays white venation in leaves that also take on a bronze color in autumn. "Variegatum" (Trachelospermum jasminoides "Variegatum") offers green and creamy-white foliage with attractive red tinges in winter and early spring, along with more restrained growth. The Royal Horticultural Society named "Variegatum" one of its Award of Garden Merit winners. These cultivars both exhibit the same hardiness as their parents.