How to Grow and Care for Summer Sunset Jasmine

Summer Sunset Jasmine, or Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Summer Sunset’, is known for its colorful foliage. New growth emerges in shades of orange, yellow, and red before transitioning to a deep, glossy green as the leaves mature. This creates a multi-toned effect on a single plant. As a low-maintenance plant, it can be grown as a sprawling groundcover that suppresses weeds or trained to trail from containers and hanging baskets.

Summer Sunset Jasmine Care Guide

Light

Sunlight intensity directly influences the foliage’s vibrancy. For the brightest oranges, yellows, and reds, provide a location that receives at least six hours of full sun daily. The plant performs well in partial shade, but its colors will be more subdued with a higher prevalence of green leaves. Dappled sunlight offers a balance, promoting healthy growth without scorching the leaves in hot climates.

Soil

Well-draining soil is the main requirement for this plant’s health. It tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as water does not pool around the roots. Incorporating organic matter like compost at planting time can improve soil structure and fertility. The plant prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH but is not sensitive to minor fluctuations.

Water

Summer Sunset Jasmine is drought-tolerant once established. During its first growing season, water regularly to help establish a deep root network. A good practice is to water thoroughly, then allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering as their soil dries out faster.

Temperature and Humidity

This plant thrives in warmer climates, specifically USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. It tolerates both heat and high humidity well. Established plants can handle a light frost but should be sheltered from cold, drying winds. In colder regions, grow it in containers and bring it indoors for the winter.

Fertilizer

To support its colorful foliage, a light feeding in the spring is beneficial. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as new growth begins. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen formulas. Excess nitrogen stimulates green, leafy growth at the expense of the orange and yellow variegation.

Pruning for Health and Shape

Pruning helps manage the plant’s spread and promotes fuller growth. As a groundcover, trim the edges to maintain its boundaries. For container plants, pruning encourages more stems for a denser, compact shape and prevents the plant from becoming leggy. Use clean, sharp shears to trim overgrown stems and maintain shape. A more significant cutback in late winter can rejuvenate an older patch of groundcover.

The best time for significant pruning is late winter or early spring, before the active growth cycle begins. This timing allows you to shape the plant without sacrificing the season’s new, colorful foliage. Pruning before new shoots emerge directs the plant’s energy into producing dense growth.

How to Propagate Summer Sunset Jasmine

Propagate this jasmine effectively through stem cuttings during the active growing season of spring and summer. This method allows you to easily expand your collection.

• Take a 4 to 6-inch cutting from a healthy stem, making the cut just below a leaf node.
• Remove all leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
• Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, an optional step that can improve success rates.
• Plant the cutting in a small pot filled with a moist, well-draining potting mix.
• Keep the pot in a warm location with bright, indirect light and ensure the soil remains moist until new growth appears.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

A loss of vibrant color is often linked to insufficient sunlight or excess nitrogen from fertilizer. To restore the bright foliage, move the plant to a sunnier location or reduce fertilizer applications. Leggy growth, characterized by long and sparse stems, indicates the plant is not receiving enough light. Pruning these stems back will encourage the plant to become bushier and produce denser growth.

This jasmine is resistant to most pests and diseases. It can occasionally be susceptible to scale insects, which can be treated with insecticidal soap. The main disease risk is root rot from waterlogged soil, so ensure the plant is in a well-draining location.