General description: Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a large, spreading shrub native to China. In principle, it is a low shrub that grows up to 1.5 m, but because of the flaccid stems - it can be treated as a climber. In favourable conditions, it can grow up to 3-5 m high, but as its stems are soft, they can be formed into picturesque garlands or stretched over arches, walls, or trellises - in this way, unique decorative effects can be achieved. The stems do not attach themselves to supports, so they should be tied or braided.

Flowers: Winter jasmine flowers are golden yellow, tubular star-shaped flowers that have an amazing, intense fragrance.

Blooming: The first flowers appear as early as at the end of October and this jasmine blooms until the first frosts. It starts flowering again in January, February and until the end of April, with interruptions during frosts. Sometimes, during severe winters with harsh frosts, the flowers fall off.

Leaves: Dark trifoliate, glossy, green and highly ornamental. They remain on stems throughout the growing season and fall off for the winter.

Cultivation requirements: Jasmine require fertile, permeable, neutral or alkaline soils and a location, sheltered from frosty winds. When planted in a moist, sunny, and sheltered spot, it thrives and bloom profusely. It does not tolerate drought or flooding, but likes mulching the ground with, for example, compost.

Pruning: Spring pruning is recommended, although, even if the plant did not freeze, the procedure improves its habit and encourages the formation of more flower buds for the next year, because it blooms on the previous year's stems (when pruning, the stems can be shortened by as much as half of their length). Stems with flower buds can be cut in winter and brought indoors, where they quickly bloom, resembling forsythia flowers.

Overwintering: The winter jasmine tolerates temperature drops of down to around -15/18°C. As it’s sensitive to low temperatures, it is recommended for warmer regions of temperate Poland, and in other regions it must be covered for the winter - the base of the shrub with leaves, and its stems with reeds or mats.

Origin: China.