Jasmine plants have a distinctive scent that I usually notice first, before I look around to see the source of the sweet smell. Luckily, I smell and see plenty of this fragrant plant all over Southern California in homes and around businesses. Today I was to discuss with you 10 types of jasmine flowers you must grow in your garden.
Jasmine Flower Types
There are more than 200 different types of jasmine plants. Most jasmine varieties are native to Asia and islands in the Pacific Ocean. They can now be found growing everywhere.
Most jasmine plants produce white flowers with a strong scent. Some varieties bloom beautiful yellow flowers as well. Most bloom from springtime to the fall.
Some jasmine types are deciduous while others are evergreen. Certain varieties thrive in the cold, while most grow best in warmer weather.
Below are just a few that are popular for gardeners to grow in their outdoor space. Most of these can grow in the mild climate here in Southern California, as well as other areas of the United States.
Here is a quick list of the plants I will be discussing in this article:
- Common jasmine
- Showy jasmine
- Arabian jasmine
- Cape jasmine
- Dwarf jasmine
- Royal jasmine
- Winter Jasmine
- Pink jasmine
- Wild Jasmine
- Star jasmine
For more details about each of these types of jasmine flowers, keep reading!
Common Jasmine
The common jasmine is the most popular jasmine flower gardeners grow. Its scientific name is Jasminum officinale and it goes by many other names. Its fragrance is very desirable for all who get to experience it.
The blooms grow profusely in the summer, but also bloom during other times of the year in controlled environments. Grow in full sun to get the most out of this jasmine plant.
This type of jasmine is known for its fuzzy leaves and flowers that grow in groups. Expect blooms to appear from late spring to autumn.
The evergreen plant can grow quickly, up to 15 feet tall. Make sure to grow your jasmine near a trellis or wall that can support this quick-growing vine. It can be seen growing best in USDA growing zones 7 – 10.
Common jasmine can be grown commercially to use its essential oils in aromatherapy and other uses.
Showy Jasmine
Showy jasmine is also known as Florida jasmine (Jasminum floridum). It is originally from China. This jasmine doesn’t need much care and is a great plant to grow in places that does not get much rain.
Showy jasmine produces blooms in beautiful shades of yellow. It can grow quickly, and reach four feet tall, making it ideal for smaller gardens. Grow in full sun to enjoy the flowers in the spring and summer months.
This type of jasmine grows best in USDA growing zones 7 to 9.
Arabian Jasmine
Arabian jasmine is also known as Jasminum sambac. This jasmine can be found growing native in the Arab Peninsula. This evergreen shrub grows best in warmer climates.
These shrubs can grow from 4 to 10 feet tall. You can grow them vertically to form a vine with full, white flowers that grow an inch across. The blooms grow in bunches of 3 – 12 flowers.
The Jasminum sambac grows best in warm climates. These are considered invasive in Florida, but remain a popular type of Jasmine. The flowers fade to a light pink as they age.
Arabian jasmine is the popular choice of jasmine that is used in tea. It can grow in zones 9 – 12.
Cape Jasmine
Cape jasmine blooms flowers that look similar to white gardenias with many fluffy-looking petals. It is also known for its sweet scent.
These differ from other jasmine since they need plenty of attention to thrive. Cape jasmine also need plenty of water to grow.
These plants can grow up to 2 – 6 feet tall wide and tall. Their white flowers can bloom several inches wide. Cape jasmine grow well in zones 7 – 11.
Dwarf Jasmine
As its name suggests, the dwarf Jasmine is one of the smaller varieties of this plant. The Jasminum parkeri grows only a few feet wide and one foot high. Sunny yellow flowers with five petals bloom all over the shrub during the summer months.
The flowers grow in bunches with a light scent to enjoy. Besides their small size, the leaves are small and shaped like ovals, creating a compact look to the plant. These jasmines are mainly grown as topiary or for bouquets due to their small size.
Those with small gardens can enjoy the dwarf jasmine in a container or as ground cover. Dwarf jasmine can grow in zones 7 – 10. This is one of several types of jasmine flowers that blooms yellow flowers instead of white ones.
Royal Jasmine
Royal jasmine is also commonly known as Spanish jasmine. The Jasminum Grandiflorum is usually grown to be used as food and in perfumes due to its strong fragrance.
White flowers grow only an inch apart on a long vine that grows green leaves, a stark contrast among the white flowers. While this plant is considered a vine, it only grows 2 – 4 feet tall and looks more like a shrub than vine.
The flowers look almost the same as the common jasmine variety. White flowers bloom in a star shape in bunches. Sometimes so many flowers bloom at the same time that the leaves get lost in the blooms.
Royal jasmine can grow in zones 7 – 10.
Winter Jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum is another name for this type of jasmine. These are great shrubs to grow when you want some color in your winter garden. When grown as a shrub, the plant will reach 4 feet tall.
Winter jasmine thrives during the cold winter months, as well as the springtime. The shrub can grow four feet wide and up to seven feet high. The yellow flowers on this jasmine produce little to no scent.
Grow along the side of a wall or on a trellis or arbor. It can also be used as ground cover to hide patches in the garden. The stems can grow as a vine up to 15 feet long.
If you live in zones 6 – 9, try growing winter jasmine.
Pink Jasmine
The plant gets its name from the long, pink tubes that the white flowers bloom from. The jasminum polyanthum is originally from China and is known for its deep fragrance. It can be grown as a house plant or outside in warm climates.
The trailing vines of pink jasmine flowers can grow up to 20 feet in length. Prune the plant when it is flowering to give it plenty of room for its many blooms. You can enjoy its deeply-scented flowers when they bloom from early spring to fall.
Large bunches of flowers grow from pink buds, similar to the common jasmine. Pink jasmine is one of the larger types, so make sure you have plenty of room for it to grow.
If you live in a warm climate, you may be able to enjoy these flowers all year long. Pink jasmine grows best in zones 9 – 10.
Wild Jasmine
Also known as Jasminum fruticans, this plant produces bright yellow flowers that are odorless, but beautiful to admire from the garden.
They grow best in full to part sun in the spring and summer months. Some wild jasmine can bloom into the fall months.
The shrub does not get large and grows slowly into a dome to around 6 feet tall, making it a great choice for low fences, hedges and ground cover.
Wild jasmine is an evergreen plant and can grow in colder places. Grow it as a hedge or ground cover in zones 6b – 10.
Star Jasmine
Star jasmine is also known by the scientific name Jasminum multiflorum. This jasmine is a great choice for gardeners just starting out since it is a low-maintenance plant that produces many blooms.
Enjoy flowers starting in late spring. The white flowers grow in the shape of stars that turn cream as the flowers age. Star jasmine are also known for their strong fragrance that can be enjoyed from a distance.
Grow star jasmine in full to part sun with regular watering to keep the plant happy throughout the year. Water more if the plant is growing in a container or in a hot climate. These grow well in zones 8 – 11.
Jasmine Flower Care
Most of the above types of jasmine flowers require similar care. They need to be grown in full to part sun. The smaller varieties can be grown in containers, while the larger ones need more space, along with a trellis to grow its vine on with plenty of room to spare.
If you live in a cooler climate, you can grow jasmine indoors in a container. Grow your jasmine in a sunny spot near a window. Have a trellis nearby that it can grow on, and cut it back from time to time to control its growth.
Jasmine need to grow in well-draining soil. Use potting soil if you grow your jasmine in pots. Garden soil mixed with native soil should be fine to use with jasmine grown in the ground in your garden.
Pruning the Jasmine Plant
Jasmine requires little pruning to maintain the plant. Prune your jasmine regularly if you grow it indoors or want to keep it a shrub. You don’t need to prune your plant as much if you plan on growing it as a vine on a trellis, wall, or pergola.
Jasmine Flowers Meaning
There are several meanings of the various types of jasmine flowers, along with symbolic importance. Jasmine comes from the Persion term “Yasmine”, which is translated to mean “gift from God”. It is also the symbol of positivity and warmth.
Types of Jasmine Flowers Near Me
There are many places that provide jasmine plants during seasonal months of the year. Online garden nurseries are great places where you can purchase jasmine plants when they are not available in your area. Below are some great choices of jasmine flowers and seeds.
Jasmine Flowers for Tea
Some types of jasmine are popular to use to make jasmine tea. Use the most fragrant type of jasmine flowers you grow in your home garden. Common jasmine is a great choice to use to make tea with.
Most jasmine tea is a type of green tea, although it can be found in white or black tea.
If you want to make your own, purchase loose black or green tea. Have some fresh jasmine flowers ready to use as well, along with a large, glass jar to store your homemade tea in.
Place a layer of tea leaves on the bottom of the jar. Next, put a layer of fresh jasmine flowers on top of the tea leaves, then cover the flowers with another layer of tea leaves. Place something heavy on the jasmine and tea to combine them.
Store the jar like this for at least a day, longer if you want a stronger scent of jasmine in your tea. When you are ready to make jasmine tea, boil a pot of tea or at least 10 ounces of water. Place a teaspoon of the tea leaves in a cup of the water, or you can strain the leaves into the hot water to enjoy a cup of hot jasmine tea.
If you prefer to purchase already made jasmine tea, check out the products below:
Grow a Jasmine Flower Plant
Grow a jasmine flower plant from the comfort of your garden, or place in sunny area in your home if you live in an area with colder climates. There are plenty of jasmine types, no matter where you live or the size of your garden!
Types of Jasmine Flowers
As you can see, there are several types of jasmine flowers you can pick to grow in your garden. Which one do you want to grow or do you already have a favorite? Let me know in the comments section below!
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