Jasmine is one of the sweetest-smelling flowers there is – but it can seem a little wasted if it is low to the ground, so you only smell it if you bend down! Why not look into how to grow jasmine on a trellis? This is a great way to grow this climbing plant, plus it will really spread out the gorgeous scent from the flowers.
How To Grow Jasmine On A Trellis
My Jasmine on a trellis…
Jasmine is a fantastic candidate for growing on a trellis, as they love to climb. Once you’ve figured it out, it’s a really lovely addition to your garden!
- First, decide where you want your trellis and jasmine to be. Jasmine likes a full sun position, so go for your sunniest spot.
- Jasmine is sensitive to root rot, so wherever you place it you will need to ensure that the soil is well-draining.
- Dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball, and add some compost or manure to it to help give the plant some extra nutrients.
- Gently untangle the roots if they are bound together, then place the root ball in the hole and backfill with soil gently.
- Water the plant well to help it get over the shock of the transplanting process (you will need to water regularly until it is established).
- Carefully tie the main trunk of the plant to the bottom of the trellis, attaching it with garden string or ties. Don’t tie too tight and cut off the circulation!
- As the plant grows, attach the new shoots to the trellis, tying around every 6-8 inches. You’ll need to check on the ties to make sure they are not too tight as the plant grows.
- As well as regular watering, your jasmine plant will benefit from a feed twice a year – this will help it produce those stunning flowers.
- Before too long, you will have a well-established climbing jasmine plant that makes a stunning addition to your garden!
What Are The Climber Problems With Jasmine Plants?
Jasmine is a relatively hardy plant, able to survive in most conditions – but there are a few problems that you should keep an eye out for.
- Aphids and caterpillars. These pesky little critters feed off the sap that a plant produces, so they will damage any plant they infest. If you spot them, pick them off!
- Stem blight. This is caused by a type of fungus, and can wreak havoc on your jasmine. Luckily, you can treat it with a fungicide if you spot it early.
- Another fungal disease, rust will make a plant unattractive and sickly. Remove any affected leaves, and water your plant from below rather than getting moisture on the leaves.
- Powdery mildew. Yet another fungus, powdery mildew will make your plant look worse for the wear, but it won’t actually kill it. 1tsp of baking soda in 1 quart of water, sprayed onto the affected areas, should sort the problem quickly.
Jasmine is not as prone to diseases and infestations as some other plants, but you will still need to watch it for signs of fungus or creepy crawlies – especially when it is young.
What Is The Best Support For Climbing Jasmine?
Because jasmines are a great climber naturally, it doesn’t actually matter too much what support you give it.
In theory, the whole plant will grow and thrive and get bushy and covered in flowers, so you won’t even see what it is climbing up!
A trellis that is specifically designed for plants to grow up is ideal, as these are made for the purpose and as such are ideal.
A wooden trellis is the perfect material – it is natural, so the plant will have no problems with touching the material.
You should avoid anything with sharp edges, as this could damage the plant and possibly even snap a stem or the main trunk.
Ensure that whatever you use to tie the plant to the support is soft, and check them regularly to make sure they are not damaging the soft stems.
Why Does My Jasmine Not Flower?
There are a good many reasons why a jasmine plant is not flowering – and thankfully there are also lots of things you can do about it!
- Not enough sunlight. Jasmines need at least 6 hours of bright sunlight each day – less than this and they will not be able to do as well.
- Waterlogged soil. No plant likes its roots to sit in water, and jasmine is no exception! Ensure that the soil is light and free draining.
- Hard winters. Your jasmine should be hardy enough to get through the winter, but a particularly cold one will result in fewer or no flowers the following year.
- Too much fertiliser. Jasmine really doesn’t need overfeeding; once a year is plenty to prevent the plant putting more energy into its leaves than its flowers.
- Late pruning. All plants like a bit of a haircut, but if you trim your jasmine too late then the flowers may not appear the following year. Prune after flowering, and at no other time!
If you want some more ideas about why your jasmine is not flowering, have a look at this video:
Does Jasmine Do Better In Pots Or Ground?
Jasmine is a great candidate for a pot – it will enjoy being a little drier, plus you can move it about to find it the most sunlight!
This plant is pretty tolerant, so as long as you have ensured it has moist, well-draining compost wherever it is planted then it should do well.
Obviously, if your jasmine is climbing up the side of your house then it is probably too large to go in a pot, and should stay where it is.
If, however, you want a smaller jasmine – even to keep as a houseplant – then it will be perfectly happy in a pot.
Follow the same rules for jasmine growth – water sparingly, feed only once a year, and ensure good drainage, prune only after flowering, and your jasmine should do well.
Final Words
As you can see, it doesn’t take too much effort to create a wall of jasmine, by growing it on a trellis – this plant likes to climb!
A great tip is to situate your jasmine trellis near where you walk in your garden – that way you’ll get the full benefit of the delightful fragrance of the flowers.
