Variegated Southern Jasmine

Southern Jasmine came originally from China, but it won the heart of the South, so no wonder they got to give it that name. It’s not a true jasmine, but it is a great groundcover or climbing vine for many different spots in the garden, from full sun to full shade. Sometimes we want something brighter than plain green, and plants with multi-colored leaves are a great and easy way to get that brightness. That’s why we love the Variegated Southern Jasmine. The glossy leaves are edged and splashed with bright white, so they really stand out, especially in the shade or in the light of a summer evening. It’s just as easy to grow as its Plain Jane parent, with the benefit of not being quite so fast-growing and vigorous, so there is no danger it will take over. Yes, it still has the wonderful scented blooms that welcome spring – it just keeps that sparkle going all year round.

Growing the Variegated Southern Jasmine

Size and Appearance

The Variegated Southern Jasmine is an evergreen vine with thin twining and creeping stems that are as happy sprawling across the ground as they are twining up through a fence or trellis. The leaves are in pairs along the stems, and they are leathery and smooth, and about 2½ inches long, with a neat oval shape. Each leaf has a white edge of uneven thickness, sometimes a thin line, other times a wide blotch that spreads into the center of the leaf. Some parts of the leaf can be a pale green, sort of mid-way between the normal green and the pure white. It’s a great look, and it really makes this a bright, cheerful plant. As well, when cooler weather comes, the leaves often take on red or pink tones, adding more interest just when we want some.

Sometime around April clusters of white flowers grow along the stems. Each flower is ½ to 1 inch across, with a narrow tubular base flaring out into 5 petals that are arranged exactly like the blades of a windmill – very cute. The opening into the tube is tinted light yellow. Once the blooms begin to open they release a wonderful fragrance, especially in the evenings, which rolls out across your garden. The tropical fragrance is a lot like jasmine, which is why this plant is called that, even though it isn’t a true jasmine at all. Bees and other pollinators love it too, so your plant will get lots of visitors. A plant in bloom is gorgeous, and with its white-edged leaves this variety is gorgeous the rest of the time too. Sometimes a few scattered blooms will appear over summer – a definite bonus.

Using the Variegated Southern Jasmine in Your Garden

This great plant is so versatile, because it can be grown as a ground cover in sun or shade, but also as a climbing plant up a trellis or fence. It can also be grown in a pot, sprawling or growing up canes, which is great in cooler zones because then you can bring it indoors during the cold months – no zone restrictions at all when you grow it that way.

Hardiness

The Variegated Southern Jasmine is entirely hardy in zones 9 and 10, but also hardy in zone 8, even if it should lose some leaves over the winter.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

You will be amazed at the versatility of this plant, able to grow right out in full sun, in partial shade, and also in full shade if it isn’t too dark and gloomy. More sun in zone 8 is good, and in the hottest places some afternoon shade will protect from possible leaf scorch, but this really is one of the most versatile plants around when it comes to light. As for soil, just about anything goes if it isn’t constantly wet, and it even grows in that unfriendly soil beneath trees, if you give it a bit of a start by digging the planting spot and adding some organic material. Once it has got its roots down it is also very drought resistant.

Maintenance and Pruning

You might need to give your Variegated Southern Jasmine some help at first to get it growing up a trellis, but it’s a quick learner, and soon starts to twine around all by itself. Although tough, it will grow better with some mulch and regular watering – and don’t forget to water it when in a pot, which is of course essential. Some fertilizer in spring is good too, and regular feeding for potted plants. Pests and diseases normally don’t come near, and deer usually ignore it. You can trim as you need – best to wait until it has finished flowering and then give it an annual haircut if it needs one – which it generally won’t. If you see any stems with plain green leaves, snip them out, as they can soon take over the plant if you don’t.

History and Origin of the Variegated Southern Jasmine

You would need to take a trip to Asia, to find the star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides, growing wild. From Vietnam to Korea, through China and Japan – that’s where to look. We know it was sent to England in 1844, and it probably came separately to America around the same time, when there was so much trade in plants from Japan and China, especially into Savanna, Georgia. This plant soon spread all through the southeast when it was found it grew so well there. Not everyone thinks the name ‘confederate’ is a reference to the southern confederacy, and one theory is that it refers to the Malay Confederacy, which formed at the end of British rule in Malaya and Singapore. It isn’t a jasmine either, so like so many common names it can get confusing. . . We also don’t know who first found this form called ‘Variegatum’, but variegated shoots often grow from plants, and all it takes is someone to root it and we have a great plant – the Variegated Southern Jasmine.

Buying the Variegated Southern Jasmine at the Tree Center

You can’t go wrong with a variegated plant if you want year-round brightness. Especially when it’s as tolerant of shade as this one is. It’s a rare form that isn’t often available, so our stock will run out soon – order now.