Growing and Training Jasmine Vines
Jasmine vines grow best in USDA zones 7 through 10. In warmer climates it will grow year-round, while in places with colder winters it will die back. Some varieties support themselves better than others, but all benefit from training. When planning to grow jasmine on a trellis or other climbing structure, first make sure you have the right conditions and location. This vine prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. If your winters get a little chilly, put the vine plant in a sheltered location. The soil should be fertile, modified with compost if necessary, and should drain well. Jasmine needs a decent amount of water, so keep it well watered during the growing season when it’s not raining. Test the soil down to about an inch (2.5 cm). If it is not moist, the vine needs watering.
How to Train a Jasmine Vine
Training jasmine vines is essential if you want to maximize the visual impact of this pretty plant. A jasmine vine left to grow untrained will look messy but will also cover other plants. When planting a new jasmine vine, put it very near the base of the trellis or whatever element you will be using as a climbing structure. Use plastic zip ties, soft cloth strips, or garden twine to fasten the vine to the trellis. Alternatively, you can weave the vine and its offshoots through the holes in the trellis as they grow. Another strategy for training jasmine on a trellis or fence is to let the main vine grow horizontally at the base. Secure it with ties to the base of the structure. Then, as flowering offshoots grow, you can tie them to the structure so that they run up vertically and cover the surface. You may need to trim your vine more than once a year, as the plant grows quickly. The best time to trim is in late winter before the growing season begins. You can cut it back by as much as one-third to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage new growth. In the case of vines that grow on old wood, such as winter jasmine (J. nudiflorum), prune after flowering.
