Tropicals - Jasmine
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  My husband was given a nice potted shrub after surgery. Enclosed are a few of its leaves. It had one small bloom that resembled and smelled like a white lilac. It was losing its leaves when we received it. It is still losing leaves and turning yellow. What kind of plant is it and how should I take care of it? Does it need to be outside, or can I keep it indoors? The plant is about 14 inches tall and about 20 inches across. I have been watering it as the soil dries out, usually about once a week. It is sitting in front of a window, but receives no direct sunlight. (Jacksonville)

  From the shape of the leaf, I would say you have some type of jasmine. The flowers smell extremely sweet, but would not be in the shape of a lilac cluster of blossoms. There are a few of the true summer blooming jasmines which are winter hardy, but most would benefit from being inside during the winter, or at least be planted in a very protected spot. Sunlight will be important if you expect more blooms. Make sure you are not overwatering the plant. Take off any decorative foil wraps which may be around the container to allow for drainage. Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

  What can you tell me about jasmine sambac and jasmine nitidum? I recently bought one of each plant, and they have lovely, sweet smelling flowers, but I am unsure how to care for them. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. (Little Rock)

  Jasminum nitidum, is commonly called star jasmine. It has star-like white flowers covering the spreading plant. It can be trained to climb up a trellis or allowed to sprawl along the ground. Although not considered winter hardy in Arkansas, I had some survive in a pot all last winter (granted, we didn’t have much of one). It did make it through the cold snap in March unscathed, but neither of these jasmines would be reliably hardy year-round in central Arkansas. Use them as container plants, and bring them indoors for the winter, if you wish to insure their survival. Jasminum sambac, Arabian jasmine, is the jasmine used in the flavoring of jasmine tea. They have a larger white flower, which also vines, but would be even more questionable for winter.

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