Trachelospermum Ogon-Niskiki in pot

Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking

False jasmine colorful foliage Trachelospermum Ogon-Nishiki

Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking

Light and dark green leaves Trachelospermum Ogon-Nishiki

Credit: David J. Stang

False jasmine light and dark green foliage Trachelospermum Ogon-Nishiki

Credit: David J Stang

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki', a small variegated jasmine

The scientists who created Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki' must have had better taste than Dr. Frankenstein. Instead of creating a solitary monster with a tough physique, they developed a cultivar of false jasmine Trachelospermum asiaticum) with multicolored foliage and fragrant flowers.

How to recognize Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki'?

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki' is perhaps the smallest of the false jasmines. This creeping perennial grows to no more than a metre high and 80 centimetres wide. It can be grown as a climber or as ground cover.

The woody stems are at most 1.5 meters long. Young orange shoots then turn bright green.

Despite its small size, Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki' doesn't go unnoticed! Its oval leaves with pointed tips come in all colors. Green, yellow, white or cream-colored blades bloom side by side on the same plant. In winter, when temperatures drop, the foliage takes on warmer hues, turning bronze, red and orange.

In summer, star-shaped cream flowers enhance the foliage. And to make sure you don't miss out, they give off a suave, sweet fragrance.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki' is best appreciated with the eyes and nose alone. The plant is toxic to both humans and animals. It causes digestive problems if ingested, and its sap is irritating to the skin.

Our maintenance tips

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki are easy-care plants. Drought-resistant, they nevertheless need regular watering in pots and during the first few years.

Watering

Before watering, make sure the substrate is two or three centimetres dry by dipping your fingers into the soil. If this is the case, moisten the root ball with non-calcareous water at room temperature.

To avoid drowning the roots, don't leave stagnant water in the dish.

Repotting

Your Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki is developing deep roots. Choose a pierced pot high enough (around 60 centimetres) to accommodate them.

Prepare a rich, light substrate. You can use commercially available potting soil for Mediterranean plants, or mix garden soil (2/3) with heather soil (1/3).

Pour the potting soil into your planter. If you have provided a support (trellis or stake), install it in your pot.

Then plant your Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki. Fill the pot with potting soil. Make sure you stop a few centimetres short of the rim to avoid water overflowing when watering.

Water generously to encourage rooting, using water at room temperature.

The plant clings naturally to its support. But you'll need to give it a little help at the start. Wrap the branches around your pergola or trellis.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the growth of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Bury a handful of compost at the foot of your Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki.

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Apply fertilizer for flowering plants or Mediterranean plants.

Prune

Cut back dry, damaged branches using clean, sharp pruning shears.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki have sap that can cause skin irritation. Remember to wear gloves for protection!

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Soak the rootball of your Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki in water at room temperature.

Find a sunny spot sheltered from the wind. Dig a planting hole as wide as it is high. Place gravel and compost at the bottom to optimize drainage.

Plant your Trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki and fill in with a mixture of universal potting soil, garden soil and compost. Form a watering basin and water copiously to encourage rooting.

Planning to climb your plant on a pergola or trellis? Wrap the first branches around the support to show them the way.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take a branch about fifteen centimeters long. The stem should be semi-jointed, i.e. Still flexible and not yet woody. Cut below the node closest to the mother stem.

Remove the leaves at the base, keeping only the upper pairs.

Pour a mixture of potting soil and sand into a pot whose hole has been plugged with a pebble. Push half the stem of your cutting into the center without watering.

Place the pot in a mini greenhouse; if you don't have one, you can cover the plant with a translucent bag or a cut bottle. Place your graft in a bright spot, without direct sunlight.

Every day, aerate for a few minutes to drain off condensation and mist.

Disease / Threat

Aphids

Information

Family	Apocynaceae - Apocynaceae
Type	Trachelospermum - Trachelospermum
Species	Trachelospermum asiaticum - Trachelospermum asiaticum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Climber Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery Toxic
Origins	South Asia Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	8a
Leaf color
Flower color