Trachelospermum jasminoides Sun Lover - Star Jasmine

The Trachelospermum jasminoides Sun Lover is a new variety of star jasmine with variegated yellow and cream foliage, particularly bright in the partially shaded areas of the garden. Like its Chinese ancestor, this climbing plant also captivates with its penetrating fragrance, both spicy and sweet, emanating from its countless small white flowers that can perfume a whole section of the garden in summer. The star jasmine Sun Lover is grown in the ground in our mild regions. Elsewhere, it will thrive in a large pot on the terrace or balcony during the warmer months and should be stored indoors during winter. While this voluble liana climbs with enthusiasm, it also forms a superb ground cover, replacing ivy.

Star jasmine is a climbing or creeping plant of the Apocynaceae family, related to periwinkles as well as to Alamanda, Mandevilla, and Dipladenia, the summer glory of our flowering pots. Its origins can be found in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where it grows on forest edges and among shrubs. It takes a little while to establish itself, developing long stems that quickly lignify, with its evergreen growth eventually covering an area of over 8m (26ft) in all directions in favorable climates.

The 'Sun Lover' cultivar distinguishes itself with its variegated foliage and slightly less vigorous growth, reaching an average of 3m (10ft) in all directions. Its hardiness is also somewhat variable, with a well-established plant surviving brief frosts around -7 to -10°C (19.4 to 14°F). The branches are adorned with opposite leaves, with entire oval-shaped laminae that taper to a point. They are thick and leathery, glossy, and variegated with yellow and cream, varying in darkness depending on the soil and light conditions. Their size ranges from 5 to 12cm (2 to 5in) in length and 2 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in width. When the plant suffers from cold or intense drought, the leaves take on a beautiful reddish hue, more intense in partial shade than in direct sunlight, before falling off. When conditions become more favorable, new leaves appear to replace them. The voluble branches, when in contact with a moist surface, produce aerial roots that allow the plant to cling to walls, the ground, or stones, similar to ivy.

Another asset of the Trachelospermum jasminoides Sun Lover is its abundant flowering from May to July, depending on the climate, and above all, its divinely fragrant flowers. The flowers are grouped in small clusters in the axils of the leaves and at the tips of the branches. The turbinate bud opens into a short-tubed corolla that widens and divides into 5 narrow, white petals arranged in a spiral. The diameter of the flowers reaches 2 to 3cm (1in). The fruit, rarely observed in our latitudes, matures into seeds with an egret. Like many plants of the Apocynaceae family, false jasmine contains alkaloids that are toxic to humans.

Moderately hardy, star jasmine Sun Lover is easy to grow, with the only real problem being severe frosts. While it is most commonly used to climb walls or fences, it can also make an excellent ground cover, even in the shade of deciduous trees, as an alternative to ivy. Perfect for filling out a hedge between evergreens or hiding an unpleasant view, Sun Lover false jasmine can also create a lovely permanent "tunnel" as a passage between two areas of the garden; it can be trained on a structure made of two arches joined by wires. It can also adorn the edge of a staircase, crown the slope of a hollow path... At its base, Mexican orange trees, shrubby mallows, and creeping ceanothuses will find their place. Its branches will intermingle with those of small clematis, modest honeysuckles, or climbing passionflowers and solanums in mild climates.