Location, pruning, fragrance & hardiness
Jasmine is the fragrance of summer nights. But be careful — not everything called jasmine is actually jasmine.
When someone says “jasmine,” they could mean three completely different plants. True jasmine (Jasminum), mock orange (Philadelphus), and star jasmine (Trachelospermum) — all of them have a beautiful fragrance, but botanically they are unrelated. In Austrian gardens, mock orange is the most common because it is hardy. True jasmine needs protection.
Here, I clear up the confusion and show you which type of jasmine is right for which purpose.
Jasmine at a glance
True jasmine: Jasminum officinale
Mock orange: Philadelphus
Star jasmine: Trachelospermum jasminoides
Origin: Asia (true), Europe (mock orange)
Flowering season: June – September (depending on the variety)
Fragrance: sweet, intoxicating, strongest in the evening
Hardy: Mock orange: yes / True jasmine: partially
Difficulty: easy to moderate
True jasmine vs. mock orange
The confusion is as old as gardening itself. Here are the key differences:
| Characteristic | True jasmine | Mock orange |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Jasminum officinale | Philadelphus coronarius |
| Growth habit | Climbing plant (up to 5 m) | Shrub (up to 3 m) |
| Hardy in Austria | Partially (down to –10°C) | Yes (down to –25°C) |
| Flowering season | June – September | May – June |
| Fragrance | Sweet, intense, strongest in the evening | Sweet, orange-like |
In most Austrian gardens, you’ll find mock orange (Philadelphus). It is fully hardy, grows into a large shrub, and flowers in May/June with white, richly scented blooms. It needs very little care and can be found in almost every traditional cottage garden.
True jasmine is a climbing plant that can survive in Vienna’s milder areas on a sheltered south-facing wall. In colder parts of Austria, it needs to be kept as a container plant and overwintered frost-free. Its fragrance is more intense and exotic than that of mock orange.
Pruning jasmine
When pruning jasmine, it all depends on which type of jasmine you have:
Mock orange (Philadelphus): Prune back the spent shoots right after flowering (June/July). Remove old, woody shoots close to the ground to make room for fresh new growth. Do not prune in autumn or winter — otherwise you’ll cut off next year’s flower buds.
True jasmine (Jasminum): Thin it out lightly in spring and shorten overly long shoots. True jasmine flowers on new growth, so it can be pruned in spring without concern.
Jasmine as a houseplant
True jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is often sold as a houseplant — a climbing plant with pink buds and white, intensely fragrant flowers. It needs a bright, cool spot (15–20°C) and regular watering. In summer, it is happy outdoors.
The problem: in heated homes, it is often too warm and too dry for it. It needs a cool dormant period in winter (10–15°C) in order to bloom again in spring. Without this cold spell, it will not form buds.
Tip: Place jasmine on the balcony or by an open window in the evening — its fragrance is strongest in the evening air. On warm summer nights, a single jasmine plant can perfume the entire terrace.
Jasmine fragrance and uses
The jasmine fragrance is one of the most important raw materials in perfumery. Jasmine oil is extracted from the flowers of Jasminum grandiflorum — it takes around 8,000 hand-picked flowers to produce one millilitre of oil. That is why jasmine oil is one of the most expensive essential oils in the world.
In the kitchen, jasmine is mainly used for tea. Jasmine tea is green tea scented with jasmine flowers — a Chinese tradition that is centuries old. The flowers of true jasmine are edible and can also be used to decorate desserts.
Fragrant flowers at MoBlumen Vienna
Freesias, roses and fragrant bouquets — hand-tied, with delivery in Vienna.
Frequently asked questions about jasmine
Mock orange (Philadelphus) is fully hardy down to –25°C. True jasmine (Jasminum) is only winter-hardy in mild locations (down to –10°C) and in most regions needs winter protection or must be overwintered frost-free as a container plant.
For true jasmine: no cold period in winter (it needs 6–8 weeks at 10–15°C). For mock orange: pruned at the wrong time (autumn/winter instead of after flowering) or not enough sun.
True jasmine (Jasminum) is considered non-toxic — the flowers are even edible. Mock orange (Philadelphus) is also non-toxic. Only star jasmine (Trachelospermum) requires caution — it is mildly toxic.
Fresh flowers at MoBlumen Vienna
Hand-tied bouquets and houseplants — delivery in Vienna.
