Jasminum fruticans (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 2m
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Oleaceae
Jasminum fruticans is an evergreen/ semi-evergreen shrub with a domed habit. Its dark green leaves are trifoliate. Its leaflets are elliptic with entire margins, up to 3cm long and 1.5cm broad. Its stems are green. Its yellow mildly fragrant flowers are up to 15mm across and appear as terminal cluster. Its fruit is a purple/ black berry. This shrub may poduce runners which aids its spread.
Jasminum fruticans Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Jasminum fruticans, commonly known as Wild Jasmine, Italian Jasmine or Shrubby Jasmine, is native to the Mediterranean region.
The etymological root of the binomial name Jasminum is derived from Ysmyn, the Arabic for the genus. Fruticans is derived from the Latin frutex meaning ‘shrub’ or ‘bush’.
The landscape architect may find Jasminum fruticans useful as a tough summer flowering shrub. It may be used to stabilise banks. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Jasminum fruticans flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Jasminum fruticans Leaf (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Jasminum fruticans prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolllerate poor soils.
Jasminum fruticans requires little maintenance. If required this shrub should be pruned in late summer.
