Jasminum nudiflorum
At RHS Garden Hyde Hall this species brightens up a dull wall adjacent to the Farmhouse with its bright yellow flowers which are spurred into opening during milder spells of weather through the winter.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Winter jasmine
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height & spread
- 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft)
- Form
- Deciduous shrub
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil, but tolerates poor soil
- Aspect
- Full sun, for best flowering, but tolerates shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Jasminum
This is a genus of 200 or more species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and climbers.
They are found in woodland, scrub and rocky places throughout China. In cultivation many species are grown for their striking star shaped and often fragrant flowers.
The leaves can be opposite or alternate and simple or pinnate, all species have square or terete stems.
The flowers are borne in terminal or axillary cymes and can be yellow, white or red with a thin corolla tube that opens to 5 or more lobes. The flowers are often followed by dark berries with one or two seeds.
Climbing Jasminum species can be used to cover trellis, fencing, arches and even other shrubs. The scandent, shrubby species can be trained against a wall and the dwarf species are suitable for the rock garden. Frost hardy species are useful plants tolerant of both urban pollution and poor soils. Scandent species can be useful soil stabilisers on steep banks.
The genus name is a latinised form of the Persian word yasmin or yasamin.
Jasminum nudiflorum
This species is from northern China and was named for its flowers which appear before its leaves, nudiflorum meaning naked flower.
It is a slender, deciduous shrub with arching to scandent green shoots. The leaves are opposite, pinnate, and dark green, they are divided into three oval oblong leaflets. The flowers are bright yellow, borne singly at axils of previous year’s growth and appear from late October through to March.
Jasminum nudiflorum ‘Aureum’ has yellow leaves.
Jasminum nudiflorum ‘Nanum’ is dwarf, slow growing and compact.
Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, well-drained soil and plant in suitable weather between autumn and spring. Full sun will ensure best flowering but will tolerate partial shade or the shade of a north wall.
- Tie in leaders fanwise after planting and then cut back flowered growth immediately after flowering.
- Old, established plants can be rejuvenated by removing one third of the oldest growth to ground level. Unpruned plants tend to become woody and matted with old dead stems.
Propagation
- Will not produce seed in UK gardens but can be grown from seed.
- Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or early summer.
- Layers - stems lying on bare earth - will root easily.
AGM
The RHS Woody Plant Committee awarded Jasminum nudiflorum an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
'Medium-sized deciduous shrub with long, arching branches. Leaves small, trifoliate. Flowers to 2.5cm wide, bright yellow.'