Trachelospermum

Family. Apocynaceae. 

Origin. Japan, China, Korea.

Description. Trachelospermum is a perennial evergreen plant - a shrub with erect, branching stems. With age, the stems become woody and covered with brown bark; when damaged, they ooze milky sap. The leaves are simple, dark green, lanceolate, thick, glossy, 2 to 8 cm long, arranged oppositely. Currently, varieties have been bred with variegated leaves with white or pink specks. The flowers are 2.5 - 4 cm in diameter, appear at the tops of the stems, have 5 white, yellow or purple petals corrugated along the edges, and have a pleasant sweetish smell. Flowering is abundant and long lasting. Not all people can stand the scent of the buds - be careful when placing the plant indoors.

Height. In its natural environment reaches a height of 12 m; in a potted culture, the height can be adjusted by pruning. It grows slowly.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, the optimal range is considered to be 18 - 24° C. In autumn, plants must be put into a dormant state and taken to a cool room with a temperature of about 10° C. 

Reproduction

Propagated by stem cuttings during the growing season. Cuttings 15-20 cm long are washed with water to stop the secretion of milky juice, the bases are sprinkled with growth hormones and immersed in a damp mixture of peat and sand. Rooting is carried out in a warm place without direct sunlight under a glass or transparent plastic cap for 2-3 weeks. Air layering.

Lighting

A brightly lit place with shade from direct sunlight during the daytime.

How to care

Regularly pinch out the apical buds to stimulate the formation of side shoots. After flowering, perform formative pruning to achieve a compact shape. Long stems of plants intended for vertical gardening should be provided with support. Remove damaged and old shoots. If possible, take the pot outside into the fresh air during warmer months.

Soil 

Loose, permeable soil with a high organic content, neutral or slightly alkaline pH. In an acidic pH, trachelospermum will grow less well. 

Feeding

In spring and summer, feed with complex liquid fertilizers every 2 weeks. Loves organic fertilizers.

Purpose

Species with drooping stems are grown as ampelous bushes - in hanging baskets. This type is suitable for vertical landscaping of large spaces. Plants with creeping stems are used as groundcover.

Flowering time

End of spring. Individual flowers appear on the plant throughout the summer.

Air humidity

If the indoor air becomes too dry, you can spray the plants with water at room temperature or place a room humidifier near the container. 

Irrigation

In spring and summer, water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out just a little before each subsequent watering. Reduce watering in the fall and water very sparingly in the winter months, protecting the soil from drying out completely.

Transfer

Transplant young trachelospermums in spring, before flowering, into larger pots. For larger tub specimens, change the top layer of soil.

Pests and diseases

The edges of the leaves dry out and turn brown when there is insufficient air humidity. With prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, the plant gets burned. Rot occurs when there is insufficient drainage and excessive watering during the dormant period. 

Among the harmful insects, plants can be attacked by spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects. 

Note

All parts of the plant are poisonous - take protective measures to prevent negative consequences. 

Varieties:

Trachelospermum jasminoides

An evergreen perennial plant - a shrub up to 90 - 180 cm high with abundantly branched shoots covered with brown bark. The leaves are arranged oppositely on short petioles. The leaf blades are dark green, glossy, lanceolate, entire-edged, hard, reaching a length of 2 - 10 cm. Flowering occurs in waves from late spring to autumn. The flowers have a pleasant sweetish aroma, are collected in small inflorescences, have white or cream, narrow petals and a long flower tube.

This variety is widespread in indoor culture. 

Trachelospermum asiaticum

A fast-growing evergreen shrub with woody shoots up to 6 m high. The leaves are leathery, glossy, dark green, broadly lanceolate, on short petioles, reaching a length of 5 cm. The flowers are star-shaped, fragrant, white, yellow or cream, up to 2 cm in diameter.

This variety is considered the most resistant to low temperatures, and the variegated varieties that have been bred allow you to choose a plant to suit your taste for any interior.

The flexible stems of the plant allow it to be grown as a hanging plant, ground cover, or used for vertical gardening - on a support.