Is Star Jasmine Good for Hedges?
Instead of the usual evergreen conifer hedge, consider using the beautiful star jasmine vine. Is star jasmine good for hedges? It is. A hedge of star jasmine grows fast and is highly decorative with the coveted fragrant blossoms.
Star jasmine is usually grown as a vine that can cover a tall wall or trellis quickly once the plant’s root system gets established. You can create a hedge of star jasmine vine by regular and strategic pruning. The vine thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10.
How to Grow Star Jasmine as a Hedge
If you want to know how to grow star jasmine as a hedge, it is mostly a question of proper pruning. Left to its own devices, this jasmine grows up the side of your house, trellis, or fence. The key to growing a jasmine hedge is to prune early and often.
Prepare the soil in the area you want to start growing a jasmine hedge. Plan on a depth of at least 2 feet (61 cm.), then chart out the length that you want the hedge of star jasmine. Work organic compost into the soil.
Purchase enough star jasmine plants for the hedge, counting one every 5 feet (1.5 m.). Dig the planting holes for each, as deep as but wider than the containers. Plant each star jasmine and water well. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Pruning Jasmine Hedges
You want those plants to grow into a hedge of star jasmine, not vines. Therefore, you’ll need to pinch off the tips of new shoots as they appear. This forces the plants to produce lateral branches rather than shooting up into vines.
Keep pruning jasmine hedges as they grow. The best time to trim off excess growth is when the flowers fade. Regular and consistent pruning will create a solid hedge some 2 feet (61 cm.) tall. You can create a taller hedge by using a support or trellis.
Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a vine-producing plant that grows quickly once the root system establishes. The vine grows up to 20 feet long, but strategic pruning transforms the young vines into a flowering low-growing hedge in the home landscape. Star Jasmine, also referred to as Confederate Jasmine, is not a true jasmine variety. The plant is native to China and grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10.
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Mark the desired length of hedge area with a width of 2 feet. Spread 3 inches of organic compost evenly over the planting area and work it 8 inches into the soil with a tiller or shovel to increase the organic content and water-draining properties.
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Dig planting holes the same depth as the root ball and twice as wide. Set the holes five feet apart along the desired hedge line. Place the root ball into the hole and fill soil around the roots to hold the plant in place.
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Water the soil over the plant root balls thoroughly after planting to stimulate root establishment. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, to promote growth and keep the plant healthy.
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Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the plants to hold moisture in the soil.
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Pinch off the tips of new growth with a clean pruning clipper to force the plant into producing lateral branches instead of vines. Prune excess growth after the flowers have faded to maintain the hedge shape.
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Apply a shrub fertilizer to the soil over the root ball in spring if the leaves have a yellow color. Follow the package instructions based on the size of the plants.