Star Jasmine

On a visit to the famous Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia recently, I was totally enchanted by their gardens. The gardens at Cellars are acknowledged as one of the finest hotel gardens internationally and have been voted by Garden Design, a top American magazine, as one of the top 30 hotel gardens in the world. And a visit to Cellars-Hohenort reveals why …

We parked in the parking lot and walking up towards the Hotels’ main entrance you will find the most enchanting Rose Garden … all beautiful white roses with Star Jasmine everywhere! The scent of Jasmine fills the air and its got to be one of the most magical “walks to the hotel entrance” anywhere. I absolutely love it. Their gardens are extensive and incredibly beautiful. And I’m really very envious of what they have achieved there.

Compared to Cellars, my garden is just a little “wannabee”. We will never be featured in any fancy magazines or win awards, but that’s not why I garden. I garden for the sheer joy of watching things grow and the immense satisfaction I get from seeing the plants thrive. But oh I do so want to smell jasmine when I walk through my garden. So we have the lovely Star Jasmine planted everywhere in the hopes that one day, maybe next spring, the air will be filled with the sweet scent of jasmine, just like at Cellars.

So far so good … the Jasmine planted on the trellisses in the front garden are thriving and the new ones planted in December are growing at a rapid pace. They appear to be “easy” plants – at least for a novice like myself. I have yet to see a pest on one of them and every day they seem to be getting bigger and stronger and are constantly flowering. Very rewarding for a “brown-thumb” like myself!

One of these days I am going to lunch at Cellars-Hohenort again and will go armed with my camera (or with a photographer-buddy in tow) so we can share the beauty of the gardens at Cellars-Hohenort here on the blog.

Happy Gardening
xxx

Notes on Star Jasmine:
Common Name: Star jasmine
Genus: Trachelospermum
Species: jasminoides
Skill Level: Experienced
Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
Hardiness: Half Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 900cm

Star jasmine is a woody, evergreen climber with rich, dark green leaves which turn bronze in winter. From mid- to late summer, pure white, fragrant flowers are produced. It can be grown against a wall in milder climates or in a greenhouse or conservatory in areas prone to severe frosts. Grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade with protection from cold, drying winds. If growing indoors, plant in loam-based potting compost in full light but not direct sun. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season, and water sparingly in winter.