Forest Jasmine

~ Jasminum suavissimum ~

OLEACEAE

There is a key to the time of day flowers are most actively perfumed. When Jasmine releases its aroma on the cusp of dusk, its timely scent is to entice a night-time dalliance with its nocturnal pollinators: moths. We reap the rewards of such a date – those still, summery nights with wafts of Jasmine perfume ignite the nostalgia of an Australian childhood. Jasminum suavissimum, our Native Jasmine, can replace its exotic counterpart with equally stunning and aromatic blooms. Jasmine by its very name implies love, beauty and sensuality. Plant it in your front garden to let passers-by indulge in its sensual inspiration and watch as it climbs and beautifies fences and floral-less structures.

WHERE TO LOOK

Forest Jasmine is widespread in open forest and woodland in north-east New South Wales and South-East Queensland, and is often found on rocky slopes and ranges.

FEATURES

This climbing and twining plant will wander as far as it can, covering a whole fence, or it can be trimmed back into a shrub. Its perfumed star-shaped flowers are 15mm wide and occur in loose clusters at the end of branches. Its pointy green leaves grow 15–60mm long and 2–9mm wide. After flowering, tiny black berries around 7mm are formed and then dispersed by birds. Jasmine stems from Oleaceae, sharing the family table with lilac and olives.

FLOWERING SEASON

Spring → Their fragrant blooms appear in early spring (or sometimes late winter) and berries appear in summer.

PLANTING

This hardy plant enjoys most well-drained soils and loves to climb things like fences and rock walls ... and other plants if they are planted too close by. It prefers full sun or part shade and tolerates some frost. New plants can be made by trimming cuttings from the current season’s growth and seeds can be harvested from berries with no need for special treatment. They will germinate in around six weeks.