Trachelospermum asiaticum tricolor in pot

Credit: Leonora Enking

False jasmine green and white pink leaves

Credit: Syrio

Trachelospermum asiaticum pink green and white

Credit: Syrio

Pink-green-white leaves Trachelospermum asiaticum tricolor

Credit: Syrio

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'tricolor', a pink, green and white false jasmine

Unlike its ancestor, trachelospermum asiaticum, Trachelospermum 'tricolor' has never known the rigors of Japanese winters. This colorful foliage plant is a cultivar, a man-made variety.

How to recognize Trachelospermum asiaticum 'tricolor'?

Trachelospermum 'tricolor' is a perennial that reaches a height of three meters and a spread of two meters. This false jasmine can adopt a creeping or climbing habit.

In fact, Trachelospermum asiaticum 'tricolor' has voluble stems. They wrap around their support like those of honeysuckle or wisteria.

Like trachelospermum asiaticum 'Ogon-Nishiki,the 'tricolor' variety has colorful foliage. The leaves start out bright pink. They turn creamy and then green as they mature. In winter, when temperatures are colder, the leaves can even turn red or purple.

Trachelospermum asiaticum 'tricolor' flowers in summer. Fragrant white flowers bloom at the tips of twigs and in leaf axils. With their five oval lobes, they resemble stars or helices.

The plant is toxic to humans and animals. Ingested, it causes stomach pains. What's more, its sap contains alkaloids, which are irritating if they come into contact with the skin. Remember to wear gloves when pruning, and keep your false jasmine out of reach of your dog or cat.

Our maintenance tips

Trachelospermum 'tricolor' plants 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 'tricolor' 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 'tricolor'. 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 'tricolor'.

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 'tricolor' plants 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 'tricolor' 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 'tricolor' 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 colors