Garden Care Guide

Star Jasmine Care

Trachelospermum jasminoides

A woody, evergreen climber that likes plenty of sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It is grown for its intensely fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers that open in late spring and early summer. Ideal for covering walls, fences and pergolas.

Half-hardy · -10 °C / 14 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required; the plant is dormant and winter rains are sufficient.
  • Pruning: This is one of the best times to keep the plant under control, shape it, and remove old branches. Pruning can be done before new growth starts.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the trunk and branches for scale insects.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
February
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, before new growth starts, a slow-release, balanced fertilizer (e.g. NPK 10-10-10) or well-rotted farmyard manure can be applied. Do not overfeed.
  • Pruning: If pruning was not done in winter, this is the last chance before new shoots emerge.
  • Plant protection: If there is a scale insect problem, this is the last chance to apply dormant oil before new shoots emerge.
  • General care: The plant is preparing to wake up.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure drainage is good against root rot.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
March
  • Watering: As rainfall decreases, start keeping the soil moist; water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Not done; the new shoots are allowed to elongate.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Guide the new shoots onto the support they will climb.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Not done; wait for it to flower.
  • Plant protection: Be watchful for aphids and mealybugs.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: After flowering ends is the best time to shape the plant and control its size. This pruning makes the plant fuller.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins. Apply mulch 5-7 cm thick over the root zone; it conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not press mulch against the stem.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Pruning: The main pruning period continues.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for scale insects and mealybugs.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Water stress can weaken the plant.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • General care: Flowering continues. Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering. In the first year, tie the shoots by hand to a wire or cage; afterward it twines on its own.
  • General care: The plant gradually prepares for winter.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general health of the plant.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Light pruning can be done to clear unwanted shoots that lengthened in summer and to give a final shape.
  • Plant protection: Usually not required, but still check for scale insects or mealybugs.
  • General care: One of the best months for planting new seedlings. It allows the roots to settle in before the winter rains.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Do not prune except in emergencies.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone with the autumn rains.
November
  • General care: The plant enters winter dormancy. This is a suitable month for planting new young plants.
December
  • Pruning: This is a suitable period for pruning.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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