Despite its name, star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) isn't a true jasmine, but it's still a firm favourite among gardeners thanks to its sweet scent and pretty appearance reminiscent of Mediterranean gardens.
Its fragrant, star-shaped white flowers appear in abundance throughout summer, typically blooming from June to August, although flowering can continue into early autumn in mild conditions.
A hardy evergreen climber, star jasmine's glossy green leaves can last all year, showcasing vibrant autumn hues as the year goes on.
"Late summer is the perfect time to give star jasmine a bit of attention before autumn arrives," Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys, explains.
"It’s a tough, reliable climber, but a few simple jobs now will help keep it healthy through winter and ensure a strong display of fragrant flowers next year."
Star jasmine is a flower that benefits from forward planning. Completing a few simple jobs now will ensure they survive the colder months and bloom beautifully next year, as Luke explains.
He tells us: "Taking care of these jobs now means your star jasmine should come through winter in good shape and be ready to reward you with glossy foliage and beautifully scented flowers when warmer weather returns."
These are the 5 most important jobs to tackle with star jasmine before autumn arrives.
1. Tidy up any unruly growth
"Star jasmine can put on a lot of growth over summer, so I always recommend lightly trimming any long, wayward stems before autumn," Luke explains.
"This helps keep the plant neat and prevents it becoming tangled or too heavy on supports. Just avoid heavy pruning, as the plant won't have much time to recover before colder weather arrives."
2. Check and secure supports
The beginning of September is a good time to check that supports are fully in place before the autumn comes. "Take the time to inspect trellis, wires or fencing and tie in any loose stems," Luke suggests.
"Autumn winds can easily damage unsupported growth, so securing the plant now will help protect it through the colder months."
3. Mulch around the base
A layer of organic mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds and insulate the roots ahead of winter. Luke explains: "It's one of the easiest jobs you can do and can make a real difference, especially if you garden in a colder part of the country."
4. Keep watering in dry spells
It's important to keep plants and flowers hydrated during the extremely hot weather we're experiencing.
"Many gardeners stop thinking about watering once summer ends, but star jasmine can still suffer if the soil becomes too dry," says Luke. "Continue watering during prolonged dry periods so the plant heads into winter well hydrated."
5. Remove damaged or dead growth
A clear-out of damaged or dead growth will help star jasmine thrive into autumn.
"Before autumn gets underway, remove any dead, diseased or damaged stems," Luke suggests. "This improves airflow around the plant and helps reduce the risk of problems developing over winter."
Beyond summer
It's also important to consider how the plant will fare over the winter if the weather plummets, Luke explains.
"Star jasmine thrives in a warm, sheltered position with plenty of sun or light shade," he tells us. "If you're growing it in a colder area, consider providing some winter protection during severe frosts, particularly for younger or container-grown plants.
"It's also worth remembering that healthy plants flower best, so feeding in early autumn with a balanced fertiliser can help support them as they prepare for the colder months ahead."
Summer gardening edit
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