Night Blooming Jessamine and Star Jasmine are two different plants that belong to the same family, but they have distinct characteristics and blooming patterns. As a gardening and landscaping expert, I have had personal experiences with both plants and can provide you with a detailed explanation of their differences.
1. Blooming Time:
Night Blooming Jessamine, also known as Cestrum nocturnum, lives up to its name by blooming exclusively at night. Its intoxicating fragrance fills the air after the sun sets, making it a popular choice for evening gardens and moonlit walks. The flowers of Night Blooming Jessamine are small, tubular, and usually white or pale yellow in color.
On the other hand, Star Jasmine, scientifically known as Trachelospermum jasminoides, blooms during the day, typically in April and May. Its flowers are larger than those of Night Blooming Jessamine and have a star-like shape, hence the name. Star Jasmine flowers are usually white, but can sometimes have a hint of pink or yellow.
2. Growth Habit:
Night Blooming Jessamine is a shrub that can reach a height of up to 6 feet. It has dark green, glossy leaves that provide an attractive backdrop to its delicate, night-blooming flowers. This plant tends to grow upright and requires regular pruning to maintain its shape.
In contrast, Star Jasmine is a vine that can climb and cover walls, fences, or trellises. Its long, trailing stems can reach lengths of 20 feet or more. The leaves of Star Jasmine are also dark green and glossy, but they are smaller and more elongated than those of Night Blooming Jessamine. The vine-like growth habit of Star Jasmine makes it a versatile plant for creating vertical interest in gardens.
3. Fragrance:
One of the main attractions of Night Blooming Jessamine is its strong, sweet fragrance that is released at night. The scent is often described as intoxicating and can fill the entire garden, creating a romantic and enchanting ambiance.
While Star Jasmine does have a fragrance, it is not as potent as that of Night Blooming Jessamine. The scent of Star Jasmine is more subtle and delicate, often compared to a mix of jasmine, gardenia, and orange blossom. Although it may not be as overpowering as Night Blooming Jessamine, the fragrance of Star Jasmine is still highly desirable and adds a pleasant aroma to outdoor spaces.
4. Hardy Zones:
Night Blooming Jessamine is native to tropical and subtropical regions and is hardy in USDA zones 8-11. It thrives in warm climates and may struggle in colder regions with frost or freezing temperatures.
Star Jasmine, on the other hand, is more versatile in terms of hardiness. It can tolerate a wider range of temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 8-11, with some varieties even able to survive in zone 7. This makes Star Jasmine a suitable choice for a broader range of gardeners, including those in slightly colder climates.
To summarize, the main differences between Night Blooming Jessamine and Star Jasmine lie in their blooming time, growth habit, fragrance, and hardiness. Night Blooming Jessamine blooms at night, is a shrub, has an intense fragrance, and is less hardy compared to Star Jasmine, which blooms during the day, is a vine, has a milder fragrance, and is more adaptable to different climates. Both plants, however, have their own unique charm and can bring beauty and fragrance to any garden or landscape.
