Jasminum officinale Aureum - Common jasmine

The Jasminum officinale 'Aureum' or White Jasmine, is a beautiful climbing perennial, interesting for both its highly fragrant pure white flowers and its golden yellow foliage.

From June to September, this 4m (13ft) tall plant forms a wall of star-shaped flowers with 5 petals, pure white with pink buds, 2 to 3 cm (1in) in diameter, with a strong fragrance. Its golden leaves, semi-evergreen depending on the region, turn green summer the months. They are carried by voluble stems that twine around their support.

The 'Aureum' Jasmine officinale likes a well-worked, deep, humus-bearing soil, rather acidic and without stagnant moisture, in a sunny position, sheltered from the wind. Hardy to -15°C (5°F), mulch the ground to protect the base. It tolerates short-lived frosts by losing its leaves. The aerial part may freeze, but if the stump is well rooted, new shoots will emerge from the base. Pruning, after flowering, consists of removing old branches and reducing its size.

The White Jasmine is perfect for dressing trellises, fences, stair railings or balconies, arches and pergolas. In a container on a terrace, it will reveal its fragrance on summer evenings! Combine it with climbing roses or among perennials in a summer border!

Properties: Dried flowers in infusion soothe coughs and relieve headaches. Macerated in olive oil, they are used as a friction against neuralgia.