Carol Klein explains the importance of judicious pruning
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One of the most popular climbing plants, jasmine is loved for its rich, sweet scent and delicate, star-shaped flowers. Also known as common jasmine, this vigorous climber comes in a range of colours including white, pink and cream. With correct jasmine pruning, gardeners will have more attractive plants that bloom freely, allowing them to enjoy these benefits longer.
Jackie Carrol, gardening expert at Gardening Know How shared when to prune for rapid growth and continuous flowering.
She said: “When young plants begin to put out new growth, start pinching out the top half-inch of the stems by squeezing them between your thumbnail and finger.
“Pinching the tips, especially in the first two years, promotes rapid growth and lush foliage. Pinch lateral stems as well as the main, upright stem.
“Summer jasmine blooms in summer and early fall, and winter jasmine blooms in late winter and early spring on vines that developed the previous season.
“Prune them immediately after they flower to give the vines time to develop growth for the next flowering season. If you prune them before they bloom, you will end up cutting off the buds and they won’t be able to flower.”
Andrew of Suttons Gardening Grow How also agreed that jasmine needs to just after flowering, removing any weak, tangled or damaged shoots.
He also shared the importance of this gardening task. He said: “Whether indoors or outdoors, jasmine grows vigorously so regular pruning is essential if you want to keep the plant healthy and tidy.”
Jasmine copes well with extensive pruning, so an overgrown plant will recover well after even the most enthusiastic trim. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that pruning an overgrown plant right back may result in no flowers for the following two to three years.
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Once gardeners have determined when to prune jasmine based on the variety they have, it helps to know how to go about jasmine pruning.
Jackie advised: “To effectively prune these plants remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems. This will keep the vine looking neat and prevent the spread of disease.
“Remove tangled stems and old stems that no longer produce flowers. Keeping the vine free of masses of tangles improves the appearance and makes it easier to take care of the vine.”
If gardeners encounter a difficult tangle, remove the stem in sections rather than trying to pull it free.
Also remove stems that are growing away from the supporting structure. Gardeners can control the direction of new growth by pruning just above a leaf stem that is growing in the direction in which you want the vine to grow.
The gardening expert added: “You’ll find that proper annual pruning care of jasmine makes a big difference in their appearance and the amount of care the vines require.”
When growing these plants common and winter jasmines are fully hardy so should be fine outside all winter. Tender and half-hardy varieties don’t like prolonged cold, so bring them indoors if potted, or mulch around the base for insulation. If growing jasmine indoors, keep the plant in a cool and bright room and make sure the soil remains moist.
Outdoor varieties don’t tend to have a problem with pests, although a regular check of young plants for aphids is advisable. Indoor jasmines may attract red spider mites and other sap-sucking insects, which can be treated if caught early.
Andrew also noted that now is a good time to plant both summer or winter jasmine for those looking to brighten up their garden.
He said: “Plant summer jasmines in spring or autumn and winter jasmine in autumn or winter. To train as climbers, choose a wall or fence where the soil is well-drained, and tie the main shoots to a suitable support such as a mesh, wire or trellis.
“Prepare the soil by digging in some compost, and water your jasmine plant well before planting out. If planting into a container, put pieces of broken pottery or some stones in the bottom to assist with drainage, then add compost.”
After, carefully tease out the roots of the jasmine and then plant it at the same level as it was in its original pot. Finish off by watering the plant well and adding a liquid feed.
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