This species has a massive geographical distribution across the tropics and as such it is no surprise that natural variations exist and have marked distinctions.

Over the years wild plants have been found in the wild and then selected and brought into cultivation in temples and private gardens in Asia and the sheer variety within one species is very large.

One of the best forms I have come across comes from the Philippines and is often sold in North America under the common name Arabian Tea Jasmine but then this common name is also sometimes used for any Jasmine so its not 100% accurate.

This form/variety of the plant is without doubt the most floriferous and frost tolerant we have come across.
It differs from all other sambacs due in part to its vigour and habit and is certainly not bush like. Long thick straight angular stems are produced at a most agreeable rate and the foliage is a very dark green with round/oval stiff leaves.
The stems are slightly pubescent with a fine felty covering of hair. Flowers are produced at the end of the growing stems so prudent pruning to encourage bushy growth pays a divine dividend.

The flowers are produced in a head or cluster of usually 3 to 8. The size of the flowers and amount per bunch and indeed per plant depends upon cultural factors, but even in mid winter with a cool winter chill and low temperature it will offer up a few flowers.
As with all Jasmines grown under glass in N Europe the intensity of light is essential for good flowering and nutrients must be added to container grown specimens and make a remarkable difference.
The flowers of this form are single and fleshy petalled pure iridescent white star shaped with broad blunt petals usually 6 slightly overlapping at the centre.
The flower tube is short and the flowers last a day or two in good bright condition and then sometimes exhibit the colour fading to a dull reddish mauve before finally falling.

What makes it outstanding in another way is its tolerance of low temperatures and frost. At the time of writing the writer has just relocated his complete nursery business in December 2005- January 2006 in what must rank as one of the coldest European winters for many years.

The entire stock of this Jasminum sambac was unceremoniously dumped in an unheated open barn the night before the temperature fell to at least minus 7c. This temperature was recorded with a officially calibrated thermometer and the temperature stayed hovering below freezing during the day and plunged every night for the following 7 days without any let up.
The pots we so frozen that it was impossible to remove the plants from the pots. The only consideration they were given was some protection from wind and rapid thawing.
Indeed the only plants that did suffer any die back were those which were exposed to the SW European sun which here near Bordeaux in France has considerable strength even in December.

Damage to evergreens can be severe and being only used to very weak English sun in mid winter was a completely new experience for me.  So provided the plant is protected by a wall in a generous position to give it protection from wind and morning sun by placing it on a South Westerly aspect we would expect the plant to survive.

The better the protection and microclimate the better the result and the less damage received. This advice is so radical that we can hardly believe it ourselves but ideally would suggest that for N. Europe & NE USA an unheated glasshouse/conservatory where the very worst excesses of frost below -5c can be excluded along with the wind and rain will be sufficient for this material to survive intact.

All the previously frozen plants are currently in bud and some are even in flower at the time of writing in late May/early June 2006 (but have been kept in an unheated glass house since their winter escapade).
 Regarding scent it is the base-line standard Jasminum sambac by which I judge all others and has a heady and powerful scent (obviously the power is affected by the temperature and other factors and the same plant grown in tropical Asia for example will exhibit greater power as more oil will be produced and evaporated at higher temperature and humidity levels).
At the same time however it is not cloying and has a clean fresh air to it.


We are unable to find the exact origin of this material except we know it was labelled as a Philippines collection. Flowers are produced at the end of new growth so it is essential to keep the plant in a bright position and well fed so that it continues to flower after its annual initial burst.
It is not difficult to do but can be hindered by being in dry shade or being potbound. Maximum height is to about 6ft or 1.8M