Maintenance Landscaping Design

Cape jasmine is a flowering plant native to South Africa. It is also known as the yellow jasmine, jasmine bush or jasmine tree. The cape jasmine has a strong, sweet fragrance and its flowers are used in perfumes. The plant grows to a height of 6-10 feet and has glossy, dark green leaves. The flowers are white with a yellow center and they bloom from summer to fall.

Also called

• Gardenia jasminoides
  
• Jasminum sambac
  
• Jasminum officinale
  
• Jasminum multiflorum
  
• Jasminum strictum

Things to Know

• The Cape jasmine is a shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall.
  
• It has evergreen leaves that are dark green in color and measure up to 4 inches long.
  
• The Cape jasmine produces white, fragrant flowers that bloom in the summer.
  
• The shrub is native to South Africa but can also be found in other parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
  
• It is often used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flowers.
  
• The Cape jasmine is also known by its scientific name, Gardenia jasminoides.
  
• It is sometimes referred to as the "jasmine of the Cape".
  
• The Cape jasmine is poisonous to humans and animals if ingested.
  
• It is important to be careful when handling the shrub as the sap can cause skin irritation.
  
• The Cape jasmine is susceptible to various fungal diseases.

Related plant:
Cape Hatteras Hydrangea

Planting Process

1. For cape jasmine, first step is to choose a location that has well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
   
2. Next, prepare the planting area by removing any weeds and loosening the soil.
   
3. If you are planting more than one cape jasmine, space the plants about 3 feet apart.
   
4. Plant the cape jasmine at the same depth it was growing in the container.
   
5. Water the plant well after planting.
   
6. Apply a layer of mulch around the plant, but do not allow the mulch to touch the plant itself.
   
7. Water the plant regularly, especially during dry spells.
   
8. Fertilize the plant every few weeks during the growing season.
   
9. Prune the plant as needed to shape it or remove any damaged or unwanted branches.
   
10. Enjoy the beauty of your cape jasmine!

Related plant:
Caper Bush

The Soil

About soil condition, Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) needs well-drained, sandy soil with a neutral to acidic pH level. It's important not to overwater this plant, as too much moisture can cause root rot. If you live in an area with clay soil, consider planting Cape jasmine in a raised bed to improve drainage.

About light

Not too different with other gardenias, cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) requires full sun to part shade in order to produce its large, white, fragrant flowers. It is a woody shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide, making it a perfect specimen plant for the garden. Cape jasmine is quite drought tolerant once established, so it is a good choice for those regions that do not receive a lot of rainfall.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for cape jasmine is one that is warm and humid. This plant does not do well in cold or dry conditions. If the temperature gets too cold, the leaves of the plant will turn brown and drop off. If the humidity is too low, the plant will not bloom.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% to 60%. The plant can tolerate some degree of drought, but will not tolerate soggy or wet conditions. If the plant is not getting enough moisture, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and drop off. Over- watering can also cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.

Fertilizing

About fertilizer, this kind of plant prefers high nitrogen fertilizer, you can use nitrogen fertilizer or compound fertilizer with high nitrogen content. The frequency of fertilization is not too high, generally once a week or two weeks is appropriate, too frequent use of fertilizer is easy to damage the roots of cape jasmine.

About light

Pruning cape jasmine is essential to maintaining its shape and preventing it from becoming overgrown. This evergreen shrub can be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. To prune, first remove any dead or damaged branches. Then, cut back any branches that are growing outside of the plant's desired shape. Finally, thin out the foliage by removing any crowded or excess branches.

About Propagating

Propagation is generally by semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer, although it can also be done by seed. The cuttings should be taken from new growth and should have a heel. They should be rooted in a mixture of peat and perlite or sand and peat. The seed should be sown in spring in a mixture of peat and perlite or sand and peat.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer, when the days are longer and the weather is warm. However, the plant can continue to grow slowly throughout the fall and winter if the temperature remains above freezing. If the plant is exposed to prolonged cold or drought, it may go dormant and lose its leaves.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant include leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, and stem dieback. These problems are often caused by too much water or too little sunlight. To prevent these problems, water the plant deeply but less frequently, and make sure it gets plenty of sunlight.

Growing Tips

• Remember to water your cape jasmine regularly, especially during the warmer months.
  
• Place your plant in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight.
  
• Fertilize your cape jasmine every few months to encourage growth.
  
• Prune your plant regularly to keep it looking tidy.
  
• Be on the lookout for pests, such as aphids and scale insects, which can damage your plant.
  
• If you live in a cold climate, bring your plant indoors during the winter months.
  
• propagating cape jasmine is easy to do from stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting from an existing plant and root it in moist soil.
  
• Cape jasmine can be susceptible to powdery mildew, so try to keep the leaves dry.
  
• Watch out for root rot, which can be a problem if the plant is over-watered.
  

Similar Plants

• Garthorne: similar plant name of “Cape Jasmine”, related with (Gardenia augusta).
  
• “yellow jasmine” (Gelsemium rankinii).
  
• “Italian jasmine” (Jasminum humile).
  
• “Jasmine mimosa” (Jasminum multicaule).
  
• “Swamp jasmine” (Jasminum dichotomum).
  
• “Jasmine tea” (Jasminum sambac).
  
• “Silver jasmine” (Jasminum fluminense).
  
• “Autumn jasmine” (Jasminum dichotomum).
  
• “Royal jasmine” (Jasminum fluminense).
  

Source:
Cape Jasmine Fruit - Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Cape Home - Universiti Teknologi Petronas
About Us - CAPE