as I walk along the grounds,
every thing seems still and asleep in the 16 degree weather.
Yet just around the corner, the Italian Jasmine that I dug up , brought with me from town, and transplanted, when we moved out here so many years ago, is starting to awaken
and to show off it's cheery yellow blossoms. I look forward to this at every start of the new year.
This is such a hearty and strong plant for my area of Texas. Cuttings can be placed in the ground and in a short time, a hedge of this beautiful flower is growing. It is the one plant that can withstand the hostile heat and high winds from the Texas prairie.
The common name of this plant is Winter Jasmine
Genus: Jasminum
Species, Hybrids, Cultivars: J. mesnyi- primrose jasmine;
evergreen vine with long, arching branches; lemon yellow flowers,
late January- April
Family: Oleaceae
Blooms: winter
Type: perennial
Did you know
Of the 200 species of jasmines known, only about 15 are grown in gardens?
The white jasmine was introduced to England from India by Vasco da Gama in the sixteenth century.It was particularly cherished for it's scent and was often used in perfumes. The Chinese name for this plant is yeh-hsi-ming, which is probably from the Persian name ysmis, meaning "white flower".
An Italian legend says that the first person to grow jasmine in Italy was the Duke Cosimo de Medici. The Duke was very proud of this plant and jealously forbade even a leaf of it to leave his garden.
One of his young gardeners disobeyed this order and presented his fiancee with a branch of this beautiful plant. Together they planted this branch and were able to raise many more plants from it. These they sold at a very high price, making a tidy sum to start their lives with. Sine that time, Italian brides have worn a sprig of this jasmine on their wedding day as a token of good luck.
In the Victorian language of flowers, white jasmine means amiability.
Winter jasmine was introduced from China by English botanist Robert Fortune in 1844.
Thank you .......Robert!!
It is the emblem of grace and elegance.
Do you have a certain kind of jasmine growing in your area?
I would love to hear!
8 comments:
You bring back great memories for me! My MIL had a huge Winter Jasmine bush next to her house, which was close to ours. She had gotten many years ago. Unfortunately, I lost it when they took her house down. I loved watching that bush flower when everything else was asleep. It's a great plant!
Blessings!
16 degree weather? Yikes! Here in s.e. FL it is 81 at 2:38 p.m. This is very warm for this time of year.
I have never seen your Primrose Jasmine. I looked it up to see if it would grow here and it will. Floridata says it is one of the best jasmine for the Deep South. I need to be on the look out now that your post brought it to my attention.
I have at least 4 different jasmine, Grand Duke, Night Blooming, Star and Confederate. I think I have another one with tiny flowers, but I don't know what kind it is. Grand Duke is my favorite as it reminds me of gardenias, a favorite of mine. They all smell wonderful though.
Enjoy these beauties in your winter garden.
FlowerLady
Hello Kathleen,
I have some Jasmine plants growing. Also have some cuttings of the small white flowering one taking off.
Happy days.
Bev.
I love those cheery yellow flowers! I hope you are staying safe and warm.
I have a bottle of perfume that smells like jasmine-I love it. I could grow some inside-the flowers are so pretty.
I always enjoy my visits here!
Love those reminders of goodness still to be had.
I fell in love with jasmine the first time I saw it when I was visiting South Carolina a few years ago. I think it was called Confederate jasmine????? Anyway, it's so nice to see something blooming!
I would love to try and grow some Jasmine here in the midwest. I love Yellow flowers and love to look forward to the first thing that blooms in the spring and I also love flowers that grow and spread fast. Maybe I will look for some when the snow melts..Thanks for sharing..they are beautiful flowers :)
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