Does it need a trellis?

It is a scrambling shrub that benefits from support but can be grown as a free-standing bush.

When should I prune it?

Prune immediately after flowering to encourage new growth for next year's blooms.

Plant guide

Winter Jasmine.

Jasminum nudiflorum

Pronounced jaz-MIH-num noo-dih-FLOR-um

Also known as Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine is a cheerful shrub that blooms with bright yellow flowers on bare, arching stems in late winter. It is a hardy plant that brings color to the garden when everything else is still sleeping. You can train it against a wall or let it cascade over a bank for a lovely effect.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Plant it in a spot with good drainage and provide a trellis if you want it to climb. Watch for wilting during dry spells and prune back stems after flowering to keep it tidy. Yellowing leaves might suggest the soil is too wet or lacks nutrients.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Prune immediately after the flowers fade to encourage vigorous growth for next year.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root-bound or needs fresh soil.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -23 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 15 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but it is not intended for consumption.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The stems are somewhat brittle and may pose a minor choking hazard if broken into small pieces.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen is generally not a significant allergen.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause mild digestive upset.

How to identify it

Bright yellow flowers on bare stems
Square, green, arching branches
Opposite, trifoliate dark green leaves
Flowers appear before leaves emerge

Height: 2 to 3m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: bright yellow, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Late Frost DamageCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed in its hardiness range, but a layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, provided they are at least 40 centimeters wide.

Softwood cuttings

Take 10 centimeter cuttings in late spring.
Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
Place in moist potting mix until roots form.

Pair with early spring bulbs to maximize the visual impact of the winter garden.

Grows well with

Snowdrop · They bloom at the same time to create a lovely winter display.
Hellebore · These shade-tolerant perennials provide interest beneath the jasmine.

Similar species

Common Jasmine · A related species known for its fragrant summer flowers.

Science

Family: Oleaceae
Genus: Jasminum
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: China
Conservation: It is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in rocky slopes and thickets where its scrambling habit allows it to climb over other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: wall cover, bank stabilizer, winter interest, espalier

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?: It is a scrambling shrub that benefits from support but can be grown as a free-standing bush.
When should I prune it?: Prune immediately after flowering to encourage new growth for next year's blooms.

Where the name comes from

The name Jasminum comes from the Persian word yasmin, while nudiflorum refers to the flowers appearing on bare stems.

Good to know

It is often called the winter jasmine.
The stems remain green throughout the year, even without leaves.
It was introduced to Europe from China in the mid-19th century.

Keep your winter jasmine growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.