Pink Jasmine

Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is the climber to choose when a bare fence needs covering quickly and you want perfume as part of the deal. A twining evergreen that reaches about 5m with support and spreads 3m wide, it knits through wire, mesh or lattice into a dense green screen within a couple of seasons. From late winter the whole plant is covered in deep pink buds that open to white starry flowers, and on a still evening the scent carries right across a garden.

Why you'll love it

• Genuine speed. One of the fastest climbers we sell, able to clothe a fence panel in its first full season.
• Weeks of perfume. The late winter flush is heavy, and the fragrance is strong enough to scent a whole courtyard.
• Two colours at once. Rose pink buds open beside white stars, so the display reads pink and white at once.
• Tough once settled. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and untroubled by heat or humidity, it performs from the subtropics down to cool temperate gardens.
• Feeds early pollinators. Bees and butterflies work the flowers at a time of year when little else is open.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Give it wires, mesh or lattice to twine through, and plant 1.5m apart along the fence for full coverage.

Balconies and courtyards. In a large pot with a frame it makes a fragrant privacy panel for a small outdoor space.

Feature planting. Trained over an arch or pergola post it stays a manageable feature if trimmed after flowering.

Growing Pink Jasmine in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade, with the heaviest flowering in sun. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean climates, and established plants shrug off frost. It is not a plant for the wet tropics.

Soil. Any reasonable garden soil with drainage suits it. Dig compost through the bed before planting and mulch to 75mm, kept clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Water deeply once or twice a week through the first summer, then taper off; established plants are drought tolerant. A light feed in spring is plenty, because overfed plants make leaves instead of flowers.

Pruning. The job that matters. Prune hard straight after flowering, then trim regrowth two or three times through the warm months, keeping it on its frame, out of trees and clear of bushland.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Jasmine as tube stock, as 140mm pots in packs of 10, as 200mm pots in packs of 6, and as established 300mm plants already winding up their support. Tubes are small but move quickly; the packs suit a long fence run.

Plants travel well and settle fast, with new twining shoots usually showing within 3 to 4 weeks in warm weather. Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full climbing plants range
• More fragrant plants for scent through the year
• Star Jasmine, a slower and tidier alternative
• Preparing a garden bed before planting

Common questions

How fast will it cover a fence?

Planted in spring at 1.5m spacing with something to twine through, expect real coverage in the first growing season and a dense screen by the end of the second.

Will it damage my fence or walls?

No. It climbs by twining stems rather than sticky pads or invasive aerial roots, so it cannot grip masonry on its own. It simply needs wires, mesh or lattice to wrap around.

How do I stop it taking over?

One hard prune straight after flowering, then two or three light trims through summer. Never let runners reach trees or shrubs, and keep stems off the soil, where they can take root.

Is it frost hardy?

Yes, established plants handle frost in cool temperate gardens. Young plants in their first winter appreciate a sheltered spot while the root system develops.