Stephanotis floribunda

Want a plant that is classy, lush green, tropical looking and has a heavenly scent.

Stephanotis floribunda is the plant for you.

For what ever reason this beautiful climber isn’t widely grown anymore. This makes it even more special as not everyone has one.

Stephanotis, or Madagascan jasmine has the most wonderful bunches of large starry white blooms and an absolutely delicious perfume. Mine just has one bunch of flowers open and I can catch that whiff of something special as I walk past. I can’t wait till all the bunches are open.

For years I’ve seen it used in floral bouquets especially for wedding parties, years ago it used to be called the Wedding Flower!

This luscious plant is a vigorous climber that's native to parts of Africa, Madagascar and Asia.

Stephanotis can be grown throughout most of Queensland, although the plant doesn't thrive in the cold and is frost tender. I have seen very old large ones in colder climates. I think they must of been protected while they were young.

It likes a warm, sunny position and can be grown either in pots or against a warm wall, which will retain the heat. It likes a rich, well drained soil and can grow up to 5 metres high, so it needs support with a trellis. But remember full sun can sometimes burn the flowers, so try giving it a little shade.

Stephanotis, when fully grown, is a great plant for covering large spaces, and is also useful for screening unsightly areas. Think of a star jasmine but with bigger leaves in its growth.

The dark green leathery leaves are very handsome even when they don't have any flowers. Stephanotis is great for adding a sense of presence and scent to the garden.

If you need to have a climber try Stephanotis and be that little bit different. Not everyone has one and I think you’ll enjoy the scent even more knowing you have an uncommon classy plant.

My Dirty Little Secret

Every year around this time my secret love affair starts. 

It starts off slow with only a hint of the love and pure joy that will come as the days turn into weeks and finally months. 

Then it’s gone. All the happiness and pleasure gone and I come crashing back down to earth.

Jasmine Polyanthum in full bloom. I love this scent.

I have to keep my love a secret as so many people disagree with me plus this love is just so, so, so common!

But I’ll let you in on my dirty little secret…. I love Jasmine polyanthum. They give my end of winter start of the westerly winds blues the TLC I need to continue.  I know spring will be here soon.  

I love nearly everything about this plant.

I love the soft feather like foliage, the deep green lushness of its leaves. 

I love the way it soft stems intertwine themselves and fall gracefully down. 

I love how the pink buds form at the end of winter, letting me know the end of this cold is close. 

I love watching the deep pink buds open to the purest white flower.

But most of all I love the scent.  

I love the scent wafting in the air, just a hint of spring.  I love getting up close and breathing deeply letting the fragrance fill me.  I love how it captures me and makes me want more. Oh how glorious it would be to be surrounded by Jasmine polyanthums.  

Every year I forget what their scent does to me. Then I start to notice them everywhere. This beautiful dense climber with pink buds and then they buds open and I’m in love all over again.

While Jasmine polyanthums are beautiful at this time of year reality hits around autumn and winter when they have a tendency to look a little shabby.  I have found that a good fertilise with Organic Link Fertiliser and trim after flowering (November) and just before flowering (June) helps keep them looking neat and beautiful.  

Jasmine polyanthums love the full sun but can grow in some shade.  They are a very vigorous climber and can cover an area quite quickly. 

If you don’t have anywhere for them to climb don’t worry they look glorious in hanging baskets or trailing over the edges of retaining walls. 

I have even seen some Jasmine polyanthums climbing on chain link fence and they were so highly trimmed it looked like a box hedge.  

These plants are hardy – they don’t mind a little bit of dry weather or a little bit of wet weather. They seem to handle the cold and the heat and once established can handle most soil types. 

Jasmine flowers are also commonly used as aphrodisiacs so make sure you like your neighbours before you use it on your fencing! 

Also for many people the scent can be very overpowering and even a bit sickly so do be mindful of where you plant it.  

This weekend give your love life some TLC and bring a Jasmine polyanthum home, it can even stay inside for a few days too, so you can enjoy the scent 24/7.