Jasmine is a fragrant flower that grows in many forms....shrubs, vines and ground covers. It is one of my favorite scented flowers, along with lilac and plumeria (also called frangipani....more on that when mine blooms!) When we bought our house in Key West, we had lots of open space to landscape. My jasmine plants where some of the first I put in. At the fence in front of the house, I have a thriving shrub of 'Maid of Orleans' jasmine, which is part of the Asiatic family.
The foliage is thick and medium green, and the perfect, creamy white flowers are wonderfully fragrant. Each bloom falls off after a day or so, so there is often a little pile of white buds on the walkway at the end of the day. Back packs and grocery bags are often brushed up against it when we are coming and going, releasing the fragrance into the air. Just lovely! In the back yard, in two spots around the pool, I have a type of 'Shining' jasmine, also in the Asiatic family. The flowers are large and maybe not as fragrant as other types, but are certainly note-worthy due to the pronounced star shape.
The most impressive jasmine plant at my house is along the fence near the grill. I bought it at the Garden Club of Key West's fall plant sale the first year we lived here. Asiatic jasmine 'Grand Duke of Tuscany' doesn't bloom often....more of an evergreen climbing vine. But when it does bloom, it is truly something to see. And to smell! Large, intricate flowers start as a tight pale green bud, turning various shades of white as it expands and opens. The fragrance is amazing! This plant is also called 'Sacred Jasmine.' Seems fitting for such an amazing bloom.
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