Jasminum officinale ‘Fiona Sunrise’

Jasminum officinale ‘Fiona Sunrise’ is a truly captivating deciduous to semi-evergreen climber, prized for its remarkable golden-yellow foliage that provides brilliant colour from spring right through to autumn. We’ve observed how its leaves emerge a vibrant yellow, maturing to a rich, bright gold, especially when bathed in sunlight. This luminous backdrop is then adorned with abundant clusters of classic white jasmine flowers, filling the air with their intoxicatingly sweet fragrance throughout the summer and into early autumn. It’s a vigorous, twining plant that quickly establishes itself, offering both visual drama and a delightful sensory experience.

For the best performance, we recommend planting ‘Fiona Sunrise’ in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade, as ample light intensifies the golden hue of its leaves and encourages a more prolific floral display. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil, tolerating a range of soil types from chalk to clay, loam, and sand. While it appreciates consistent moisture, particularly during establishment and dry spells, it is moderately drought-tolerant once settled in. In colder parts of the UK, a sheltered position against a warm wall will offer extra protection, and it’s hardy down to around -5°C to -10°C (USDA Zone 7).

To keep ‘Fiona Sunrise’ looking its best and flowering generously, we advise pruning after the main flush of flowers in late summer or early autumn. This allows you to remove any weak, tangled, or overcrowded stems and maintain its desired shape. In spring, you’ll be greeted by the fresh, bright yellow new growth, followed by the heavenly scented white blooms throughout summer. Its radiant golden foliage makes it an excellent choice for training over trellises, arches, pergolas, or fences, where it can create a stunning focal point. For a complementary planting scheme, consider pairing it with deep purple clematis or dark-leaved shrubs to really make its golden leaves pop.