Jasminum multipartitum - Starry Wild Jasmine

Jasminum multipartitum (synonym Jasminum glaucum), known as African Jasmine or Starry Wild Jasmine, should not be confused with Trachelospermum jasminoïdes, commonly called Star Jasmine, another beautiful scented vine. This botanical species native to South Africa is little known despite its many advantages. Its habit is more bushy than climbing, compact enough not to clutter a terrace, its evergreen foliage is elegant, dark green and glossy, and its flowering period lasts from spring to summer. Its star-shaped flowers are large for a jasmine, and their fragrance is very pleasant, particularly sweet and delicate. It can only be grown in the ground in very mild climates, but it adapts well to container gardening, to be stored under cover. 

The Wild Star Jasmine belongs to the Oleaceae family. Native to Africa, it is widespread in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland in South Africa. In the wild, this plant grows on rocky slopes or in thickets, in fairly harsh conditions. Not very hardy, this jasmine can be grown in the ground in areas where the temperature does not drop below -5°C for short periods. This creeping shrub has a more bushy than climbing habit. Without support, it will reach an average size of 1.5 metres (5 feet) in all directions, with fairly rapid growth. Its long branches guided on a support can climb up to 3 metres (10 feet), on a trellis or against a wall. The flowering period is long in moist soil, from May to August. In dry and hot climates, it has a resting period in August and resumes in September, with the return of rain. The plant produces panicles of pink buds that open into white flowers with 8 petals, of a good size, measuring 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. The foliage is composed of leaves divided into small oval to lanceolate leaflets, thick, dark green and glossy. The stems become woody and light brown with age, devoid of leaves. The young branches, which bear the foliage, are green, angular or channelled.

If its growth is guided, Jasminum multipartitum can climb on shrubs, trellises, arches, pergolas, stair railings, or balconies in favourable climates. If, on the other hand, it is allowed to grow freely, it forms a beautiful but slightly disorderly bush, which is preferable when grown in a pot and will need to be brought indoors in a greenhouse or conservatory for the winter. Place it on the terrace to fully enjoy its delicate and very pleasant fragrance, which is less overpowering than that of the majority of other jasmines. To accompany it, you can choose, for example, a compact-flowering clematis ('Alba Plena', 'Bicolor' or 'Cassis') or a winter-flowering evergreen clematis like Clematis cirrhosa.

Its highly fragrant flowers are used in perfumery, to scent tea, and are used in traditional remedies in Asia. The essential oil extracted from it is used in both perfumery and cooking. Its aroma can be found in maraschino cherries.