Friday, January 25, 1991 - North Shore News ~ 15 & GAR Winter Jasmine thrives in the cold Shrub blooms for months SOME OF you may be under the misconception that those brave (and unbalanced) members of the Polar Bear Club (PBC) take the prize for the most exposed showoff of the winter season. Well, | know of at least one plant that has them beat. As its name suggests, jasminum nudiflorum or the Winter Jasmine comes to the party completely naked and then proceeds to put itself on display for months. The poor goose-bumped PBC member is no match. How can you compare the minor bravado of a few New Year’s Day minutes in the balmy waters of English Bay with this immodest if not downright shame- less display? This flagrant flaun- ting of flowers attempts no veiling of its golden charms with even a single leaf. This may be more than most passionate gardeners can stand, but the purpose of this article is to try and introduce this naughty plant to the less ardent among you. Although the Winter Jasmine is readily available and makes an excellent addition to the garden, it is seldom used. The problem lies in the fact that most of you understandably refrain from visiting the garden centre during the winter months. You are more likely to happen upon this plant during spring or summer. At this time, you are apt to walk right past it. It is generally sold as one-gallon shrub (also referred to as #1 pot size or 6 inch pot). The growers and retailers will have cut it back ; Offer valid dan, 15th - March 15th poo: severely in order to keep it to a manageable size. Unfortunately, this does little to exhibit its better characteristics. The Winter Jasmine is a deciduous shrub iin arching, square, green branches. Its small one-inch, dark green leaves appear in mid-spring along opposite sides of the stem. The bright yellow, six-petalled flowers are tubular, one inch across by one inch long and produced in clusters along the stems. The flowers can appear as early as November and continue until as late as the end of March. They are at their best during the warmer days of January and February. The open flowers can be damaged by hard frosts, but these are quickly replaced. The plants are rated as being hardy to Zone 5. This would allow them to easily tolerate the weather normally found at Whistler or even some of the more sheltered Interior valleys. They are also tolerant of a wide variety of cultural conditions. Almost any soil and light condi- tion is acceptable, but best bioom- ing performance is achieved when planted in a sheltered, sunny loca- Hi tion and in an organic loam. Although fertilizer is ge->r-liy ? not necessary, a yearly application SAVE $120.00 ona FREE GOLD DOOR >Environmental Protection Agency Certified >Large View Gold Plated Door >The Clean Glass Air Wash System >More Heat with less Wood Choose from the full line of Wood Freestanding and Insert Models , Regency y FIREPLACE PRODUCTS Joe’s Fireplace Products Lid. 1394 984-4059 ain St., North Van 251-7654 Geoff Tobiasson - oe OVER THE GARDEN GATE of a one inch layer of compost enriched with bone meal will not go unrewarded. This should be applied in early spring just prior to emergence of new growth. In keeping with its accommo- dating character, the Winter Jasmine is both drought and damp tolerant. However, supply- ing even amounts of moisture will assure the best performance. Its long, arching branches make it extremely useful as a screen for unsightly buildings or retaining wails. Plant it at the top and allow it to cascade over or at the bottom where it can be trained upwards as a vine. As it is not a 44 As its name Suggests, jasminum nudiflorum or the Winter Jasmine comes to the party completely naked and then proceeds to put itself on display for months. 99 free climber, a trellis or some other form of support will be re- quired. Make sure it is placed in an area of the garden where it can easily be seen from the predomi- nant view window of the house. This will ensure that its bright winter flowers are enjoyed, even if the weather is too miserable to spend much time outdoors. Prune as required after the blooming feriod to maintain an orderly habit and encourage new growth. An abundance of fresh green wood will produce an equal abundance of flowers. For a real treat, trim a litte off the plant in late December and use the cuttings in fresh bouquets through the holiday season. One plant could keep an average sized house full of fragrant color all winter long. Whatever you do, do not let the plant go too long between prun- ings. This will encourage the de- velopment of coarse, woody growth, producing little in the way of floral displays. Those which do appear will form at the top of the plant; generally out of sight from - below. Old unproductive stems should be cut back to within three or four buds of their base. This should stimulate branching at lower levels and encourage more prolific displays the following year. You may have a difficult time obtaining a healthy specimen at your local garden centre. This be- ing the case, you might luck out if you have a cooperative acquain- tance with a well developed plant and a willingness to share. Take half-ripe, four inch cut- tings from an existing plant in late summer or hardwood cuttings in November. These plants also form roots where its stems contact the ground. Separate and transplant these layers in early spring. 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