I finally have a bit of space to begin outdoor planting again. Moved here in 2006 from the East coast and it took this long to get some houseplants to grow. The ones I grew up with did not fair so well out here. I am slowly learning and am most interested in starting some jasmine. I have always loved this plant. Small problem. Most of our little property is entrance way and driveway which is all cement. Can I grow jasmine in a container next to the door. It faces NW and gets lots of sun in the summer but houses are beginning to block it now. I bought a small plant and put it in a large 12" self-watering pot. It is growing and doing well. Now what. Do I bring it in for winter? Can I leave it in its exposed position or should I move it under the porch roof??? I know it may eventually need to be pinned up as it grows but I was told it would be OK in this container for 3 or years. True? Main concern is what to do as winter weather sets in. Back east it was bring it in if you want it to survive. Is the container too exposed or should I plant somewhere in the ground? Really at a loss out here.
Botanical name? Jasminum polyanthum? Trachelospermum jasminioides? Etc.? It makes a difference to the situation which particular plant you have.
Would it survive if I plant it or should I just get another variety? Thanks for your help, by the way. I love plants and want to learn all I can about what grows in this area.
2008 was supposedly the coldest one since 1990, and I've seen TV weather people talking about how the same conditions that preceded the 2008 winter have occurred this year. Star jasmine is not conventionally hardy in the north but in later years multiple Seattle properties have managed to produce some comparatively big (for areas outside long-established widespread use of the plant) specimens on walls etc. Have not thought to survey any damage to these that might have resulted from 2008, but I think I may have noticed occasional specimens encountered since are still intact. The thing is, leaving a plant out in a pot during Arctic weather may result in it going south 20 degrees F above the point it would die down or die if growing in the ground. The critical difference is freezing of the roots. Maybe with yours all you have to do is move it into a garage or other cool or cold but not frigid situation during the several days or weeks (ugh) when there is an Arctic inversion and everything freezes up. If not already acquainted with it look for the popular Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK (2007, Sunset Publishing, Menlo Park) to help you with your exploration of gardening in the West. Sunset also has a gardening section on its web site.
Ron, Thank you so much for all your advice. I think I will see if it can weather this winter with a bit of protection during those cold days. Still hoping for a few days of very warm weather before we say good-bye until spring. September arrived and fall began. Too early for me.
