Madagascar Jasmine

Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) is grown for the scent. It is a neat evergreen twining climber reaching about 3m tall and 1.5m wide, with waxy dark green leaves and clusters of pure white tubular flowers through the warm months. The perfume is heavy and sweet, and carries on a still evening.

Why you'll love it

• Fragrance worth planting for. Site it where people pass and the scent does the rest.
• Well behaved on a small structure. At around 3m it covers a trellis or archway without the constant cutting back vigorous climbers demand.
• A long run of flowers. White flushes come through spring and summer, and on and off much of the year in warm frost free gardens.

Where it works best

Courtyards and balconies. Enclosed spaces trap the perfume, and warmth off a sunny wall suits a plant from a tropical island. A 400mm pot or larger with a trellis is the classic treatment.

Beside doors and windows. Scent works at pinch points, and on a trellis the flowers sit at nose height.

Light screening and archways. On wires or lattice it makes a neat green panel, and over a low arch it gives structure and flowers without outgrowing it.

Growing Madagascar Jasmine in Australia

Position and climate. Bright filtered light or morning sun, with shade from harsh afternoon sun. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is frost tender, so in cool inland and southern districts grow it in a pot that comes into a glasshouse or verandah over winter.

Soil. Rich, free draining and high in organic matter. Work compost through the bed before planting, and in pots use a premium potting mix. Never let the pot stand in water.

Water and feed. Keep the soil evenly moist through spring and summer, then reduce watering over winter, which triggers the next flowering cycle. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser in early spring and a potassium rich liquid feed fortnightly while budding.

Support and pruning. It twines, so it needs wires, mesh or a trellis and will not cling to a bare wall. Prune lightly after the main flush, and avoid heavy pruning in late winter, because flowers form on new growth from established stems.

Safety. The milky sap and the seed pods are toxic if eaten and the sap can irritate skin. Wear gloves when pruning and keep it clear of where pets and small children play.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied in a 300mm pot and as a 200mm pack of six. The 300mm is a single established plant already twining, the right choice for a feature position, while the pack of six suits a fence line or matching pots. Plants travel with their growth tied in, so expect to untie and retrain the stems in the first week, and flowering often pauses for a season after transplanting. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full climbing plant range
• Compare other scented plants
• Choose a pot and trellis for a climber
• Preparing soil for a new planting

Common questions

Why is mine not flowering?

Almost always not enough light, too much nitrogen producing leaves at the expense of buds, or no cool drier rest over winter. A brighter position and a potassium rich feed usually fixes it.

How far apart should I plant them for a screen?

Allow 1m to 1.5m between plants along a wire or lattice, based on a mature width of about 1.5m. That closes into a continuous panel to around 3m high without leaving gaps you wait years to fill.

Is it safe around pets?

No. The milky sap and the seed pods are toxic if eaten. Grow it up a trellis or in a raised pot out of reach of dogs and cats.