Trachelospermum asiaticum STAR OF MILANO

The Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Star of Milano' distinguishes itself from the traditional Asian star jasmine with its creamy variegated foliage and delicately scented pale pink flowers. The moderate growth of this climbing plant is well-suited for small gardens and container cultivation. Its flowers diffuse a sweet and subtle fragrance, capable of perfuming an entire section of the garden. This evergreen climber also remains attractive throughout the year. It can be planted in the ground near a fence, used as ground cover, or even placed in a large pot on a terrace or balcony.

The Trachelospermum 'Star of Milano' is a Japanese horticultural creation by Suzuki from 2020. This plant is derived from Trachelospermum asiaticum, also known as yellow star jasmine, a Japanese and Korean cousin of the Chinese T. jasminoides. The 'Star of Milano' selection stands out with its variegated foliage and pale pink star-shaped flowers with a small yellow centre. All of these plants belong to the apocynaceae family, like periwinkles. 'Star of Milano' is a climbing star jasmine that produces long stems that can reach up to 3m (10ft) in length. They bear small, single, ovate leaves, averaging 6cm (2in) long and 3cm (1in) wide, with entire margins and pointed tips. Their colour is a medium green with a shiny finish, irregularly margined with cream-white. It can turn to a reddish-orange brown during winter, depending on the climate. The flowering, long and abundant, occurs from May-June to August-September, lasting almost four months. Small bouquets of star-shaped flowers, with thin, helicoid petals measuring 2 to 4cm (1 to 2in) wide, appear in the axils of the leaves or at the tips of the branches. Their fragrance, reminiscent of jasmine, is however much sweeter, strongly imbued with biscuit and vanilla. The fruit, rarely observed in our latitudes, resembles a pair of small curved green beans joined at both their base and tip. When ripe, they bear seeds. Like many plants in the apocynaceae family, yellow star jasmine contains alkaloids that are toxic to humans. Its hardiness is rated at -12°C (10.4°F) for a mature specimen and it tolerates summer drought quite well.

A single flowering specimen of this 'Star of Milano' yellow star jasmine emits a fragrance, particularly in warm weather, and its variegated foliage adds a very elegant touch to any setting. Under most climates, except for the coldest ones, it can be planted in well-drained and humus-bearing soil, preferably in a sunny or semi-shaded location. With its relatively slow growth, it is most often used as a climber to cover a fence or pergola, adorn a wall with strong wires, but it can also form a magnificent ground cover, resembling a soft, luminous, pale pink and fragrant carpet. In colder regions, it can be cultivated in a pot to be sheltered during winter. It can easily be stored in an unheated conservatory to enjoy its beautiful foliage throughout the winter. Balconies and terraces can also accommodate its prodigious flowering by placing the plant in a large container.