How to grow star jasmine in a container?

Splandy

I want to grow star jasmine up my shed wall. It is south/south east facing and made of brick. It is quite sheltered as it joins the house. The area is a patio so I can't put it into the ground. What depth of container will I need? Will I need to frequently change the soil inside the container? I have read that it will need to be protected over winter and mulching is mentioned. Obviously can't do that in a container, so will bubble wrap around the container be ok?

Borderline

It’s a long term plant so you will need a large container. I would say minimum of 50cm deep and wide. Make sure the base has some large stones over the drainage holes and mix John Innes No2 with grit. Then top with a layer of multi purpose compost.

A south aspect will seldom need protection. A plant like that will not need bubble wrapping. It’s mainly for smaller sized pots or plants that are far more tender. 

The soil doesn’t require changing, maybe an annual new layer of compost.  You can scrape away the old layer if you want. Mulching is more compost or some type of wood chip topping. 

Splandy

I think they meant mulching to provide some protection for the plant in the ground? Which made me think that it might not be happy in a container. I also saw mention of putting fleece over it in winter but I specifically want it up the wall as it is evergreen and right next to my patio doors. 

I was was thinking of a large, rectangular container, perhaps more like 1.5 wide. Will it just grow from one small point at the bottom and look a bit odd being in such a long container? I suppose I could plant other things underneath. Or would they be competing too much in a container?

Borderline

A rectangular container sounds fine. At 1.5 meters wide, you can afford to grow some other plants. Plenty of plants to complement the white flowers for a southerly aspect.

Mulching can mean a final top layer of bark chip or bracken over the soil to minimise moisture loss and also control the soil temperatures. Mulching normally keeps the base of plants cool in the warmer months and protects the roots from freezing temperatures in the winter months. Not always necessary. A thick layer of compost in pots will do. 

If you are in a very cold area, that may be the reason for mentioning fleece, but against a wall and on a southerly aspect, the evergreen shrub/climber should be fine.

Splandy

That's brilliant, thanks for the advice.

Busy-Lizzie

Just a second opinion, I have a star jasmine in a container, have never fleeced it, everything Borderline has said has worked for me.

Splandy

How big is your container? When I said 1.5m, I meant length going sideways rather than width from front to back. How wide and deep is yours? Should the plant be planted at the back of the container to grow up the wall or in the middle and angled back? 

Busy-Lizzie

My container is 55cms deep, square and 50cms wide. I feed the Jasmine 2 or 3 times a year and water it regularly, but not in winter. The plant is now 130cms wide at the base and 160cms tall from the top of the pot. It has an obelisk to grow up.

I would plant it in the middle. Will you be tying it to a trellis or wires on the wall?

Splandy

Hmm, I hadn't thought about watering. I water my pots at least once a day in summer. But they are smaller and terracotta so do you think this may need less? Is there much difference between wires or trellis? The wall is currently painted in a colour I don't like, so I was thinking of painting it a colour which will complement the plant and buying a nice trellis so that it looks more attractive until the it grows bigger. I am a beginner (obviously 😄) and haven't attempted any climbing plants yet so will have to watch a few videos on how to tie it in to the trellis.

Mark56

I grow mine in a large pot as well without winter protection other than being situated on a south facing wall. They aren't over keen on wet, windy weather but need plenty of feeding in Spring/Summer. I use Fish, Blood & Bone in Spring then seaweed feed a few times in the Summer with a wigwam type support. I think it'll need re-potting or going in the ground soon, they are hungry plants. 

amlee1

Hi Splandy,
I've just bought one of these and could do with it a rectangular pot. How is yours getting on and what size pot did you use please ?? Thanks Anna