Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Star of Toscane’

Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Star of Toscane’, also widely known as Yellow Star Jasmine or Tuscan Jasmine, is a magnificent evergreen climber that brings a touch of Mediterranean romance to any UK garden. We find it truly special for its abundant clusters of star-shaped flowers, which emerge a creamy yellow and mature to a soft golden hue, exuding an irresistible, heady fragrance from early summer right through to autumn. Its glossy, deep green leaves provide year-round interest, often taking on attractive bronze-red tones during the colder winter months, making it a reliable choice for consistent garden structure. It’s a vigorous grower, perfect for covering walls, fences, or trellises, and we often use it to create a scented focal point near seating areas or doorways in our nursery.

For optimal growth and flowering, ‘Star of Toscane’ thrives in a sheltered spot with full sun to partial shade. It’s quite adaptable when it comes to soil, preferring a fertile, moist, and well-drained substrate, coping well with a range from sandy to loamy or chalky conditions with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Once established, it can tolerate some drought, but regular watering is important, especially during dry spells and in its first year, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist without becoming waterlogged. This lovely climber is hardy throughout most of the UK (RHS Hardiness H4, down to -10°C), though we advise providing some winter protection in particularly cold or exposed areas, or for plants in containers.

Pruning is relatively low maintenance for ‘Star of Toscane’. We recommend a light trim after flowering in late summer or early autumn to maintain its shape and manage its size. Any necessary maintenance pruning or removal of dead/damaged wood can also be done gently in early spring, avoiding heavy pruning during the main flowering period. Its twining stems readily climb, making it ideal for adorning walls, pergolas, arches, or even growing in large patio pots with a sturdy support. The exquisite fragrance makes it a superb choice for scented gardens, and its flowers are known to attract bees and other pollinators. Consider combining it with late-flowering clematis for a continuous display of colour and scent.