Jasmine

Jasmines have small, star-like flowers, usually produced in abundance, often in clusters. The flowers tend to be white or pale pink, although those of winter jasmine are vibrant yellow. Most are climbers, a few are shrubs.

Summer jasmines like a warm, sheltered spot, where they can bask in the sun, while hardy winter jasmine is happy in colder locations, in sun or partial shade. Tender jasmines like year-round warmth indoors.

Many jasmines aren't fully hardy and these dislike cold, damp sites and may not survive winter outdoors. Jasmines don't like deep shade, although some will tolerate partial shade.

When is a jasmine not a jasmine? True jasmines have the botanical name Jasminum. However, many other popular plants are widely known as jasmine, due to their similarly scented, white flowers. These include star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda), Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) and Chilean jasmine (Mandevilla laxa).