Winter jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Oleaceae family, native to Central and south-west China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet). It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Winter jasmine at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Oleaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about November for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central and south-west China (Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Winter jasmine toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Winter jasmine
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Winter jasmine
- How far apart should I plant Winter jasmine?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Winter jasmine need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Winter jasmine need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Winter jasmine?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Winter jasmine flower?
- From about November for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Winter jasmine poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Winter jasmine?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Winter jasmine. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Bright yellow, unscented flowers open on bare, green, whippy stems from late autumn to early spring. A sprawling wall shrub rather than a true climber: tie it to a wall or let it cascade over a bank. Brought to Britain by Robert Fortune in 1844; in China it is one of the flowers of the New Year.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris
- Common privet Ligustrum vulgare
- Forsythia Forsythia x intermedia
- Common jasmine Jasminum officinale
- Olive Olea europaea
- Sweet osmanthus Osmanthus fragrans
- Arabian jasmine Jasminum sambac
- Early lilac (Chinese lilac) Syringa oblata