PlantFiles: Winter Jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum

A beautiful, durable, versatile plant definitely deserving of a place in at least some gardens. It forms a mounding, spreading, cascading shrub with hundreds of long, stringy green stems arching indefinitely from the crown. It grows fast, and the branches root where they touch the ground, so it can actually become a bit of a nuisance, and should be carefully considered when planting. Frankly, it's usually not an appropriate choice for a small space or an especially tidy yard. Often best to take advantage of its hardiness and sprawling habit by planting where it can either spill down a bank or a wall, or clamber up and through a fence or other structure. The green stems and small, glossy summer foliage look good all the time, and the yellow flowers are earlier and softer in color than forsythia--a very welcome presence in the bleak January-February landscape. Once established, it tolerates incredible drought and abuse, although, like most plants, it looks best with regular water, fertilizer, and pruning. For off-season color and year-round textural presence, it's a winner here in the mid-South.

Spreads by rooting where new shoots touch the ground.
Will cascade over a wall or if trained on a trellis can grow to 15 ft.

A useful winter interest shrub from Western China.

Has entire (smooth edged), dark green, pinnate leaves divided into 3 leaflets on arching stems. Bears butter yellow, solitary flowers prior to the leaves returning.

Flowers November to February.

Likes a well drained, fertile soil in sun or partial shade.

I have seen this plant used in a hedge which is very effective in the dull winter months.

Prune out a quarter of old shoots and cut back flowered stems (after flowering) to younger growth or strong buds.