Mock orange, which is often mistakenly called jasmine, is a picturesque spreading shrub that, in late spring, is covered with thick white flowers, the captivating scent of which will take your breath away. It has nothing in common with jasmine, an exotic shrub from the Olive family that grows in Asia and Africa. How to grow mock orange, planting and care in open ground, as well as interesting species and varieties are discussed in this article.
General description of terry mock orange
In fact, mock orange is not a jasmine, but people call it that because of the aroma of fragrant flowers, which is very similar to the fragrance of real jasmine flowers. However, these ornamental plants belong to different families, just as the zones and conditions for growing crops are different.
Garden jasmine or terry mock orange is a deciduous shrub with a height of 1.5 to 3 m, obtained by the French breeder Lemoine through experiments with common mock orange. The ornamental plant is distinguished by double flowers that resemble miniature roses in a half-bloomed state. There are double and semi-double varieties of garden jasmine with large-flowered forms and flowers with a small corolla, with a different number of petals, which affects the doubleness.
How terry mock orange blooms
The flowering of terry mock orange is unforgettably beautiful and long-lasting. Depending on the variety, the flowers, collected in inflorescences of several pieces, have varying degrees of terry. On average, garden jasmine blooms for 2-3 weeks, starting in mid-late June. It is worth saying here that double varieties of mock orange are not capable of emitting a strong aroma, unlike the inflorescences of ordinary mock orange. Their fragrance is subtle, barely perceptible, light. Mock orange pleases with lush, lush flowering only in sunny places and fertile soils.
Popular varieties of terry mock orange
The most popular and in demand varieties of terry garden jasmine among gardeners are:
- Virginal is the first variety of terry mock orange, obtained by Lemoine more than 100 years ago. A bush up to 3 m in height with large flowers blooms 2 times a year: in summer and autumn. Its aroma is sweet, quite strong, which is uncharacteristic for representatives of the double type of garden jasmine;
- Garden jasmine Minnesota snowflake. This terry mock orange shrub grows up to 2 m in height and is distinguished by dense double snow-white flowers, collected in inflorescences of several pieces;
- Pyramid. This is a tall, up to 3 m, late flowering shrub. Snow-white flowers abundantly cover the powerful bush, emitting a subtle, subtle scent;
- Schneeshturm. A bush of double mock orange up to 3 m in height, with drooping shoots that are abundantly decorated with luxurious double flowers that emit a refreshing, fruity aroma;
- Ermine mantle. A low, up to 1.8 m in height, variety with drooping branches, lushly decorated with creamy white flowers that exude a subtle strawberry aroma;
- Blizzard. This is a tall shrub, completely covered with snow-white inflorescences, which from a distance resemble large flakes of snow. Almost all the leaves of the terry mock orange are hidden under the luxurious “snow cover”;
- Moonlight. A variety with small pom-pom flowers that appear in huge numbers and exude a strawberry aroma and glow in the dark.
According to experienced gardeners, in the conditions of the domestic climate, varieties of terry jasmine of Russian selection take root and bloom best. These are Blizzard, Yunnat, Moth Ballet and others.
Varieties of indoor plants
At home, as a rule, several of the most common species are grown. They may differ in size and growth rate, but all of them are characterized by the presence of a fragrant white flower.
Jasmine Arabian Knights
This jasmine bush differs from its relatives in the speed of shoot growth.
Double flowers grow up to 1.5-1.7 cm in diameter. The most optimal conditions for growth are lightly shaded areas.
Arabian jasmine begins to bloom in March and ends in autumn.
Grand Duke of Tuscany
This variety is native to the Middle East. Although jasmine cannot boast of a growth rate, it does have fairly large flowers - 4-5 cm in diameter.
The Duke blooms only a few days a year, after which the double buds dry out. You can place a pot with a bush on the sunny side of the house, but it prefers shaded places.
Grand Duke of Tuscany
It tolerates dry soil quite easily, but it is better to water it on time. If the room is very hot, the flower should be sprayed and moistened more often.
Jasmine Maid of Orleans
The fast-growing and unpretentious variety is the most popular variety of indoor jasmine.
On a note! The Maid of Orleans blooms all year round, but the plant is most active in spring and autumn.
Small flowers, having blossomed, live only for a day, and they are replaced by the next. The plant can feel comfortable even at a temperature of +10°C.
Maid of Orleans
Jasmine Belle of India
The domestic variety has an average growth rate. Flowering occurs all year round, the buds grow up to 30 mm in diameter.
Indian jasmine looks brightest in spring and summer. For more luxuriant flowering, it needs to be provided with sufficient lighting and watering rates.
Belle of India
Main characteristics
The main advantage of the terry mock orange is its unpretentiousness - in order for the luxurious beauty of the snow-white flowering of the crop to be, according to the description above and in the photo, there is no need to perform complex agrotechnical techniques. Garden jasmine is a frost-resistant shrub that can withstand frosts up to 22 - 25 degrees, depending on the variety. This type of ornamental shrub has good immunity and is characterized by resistance to pests and diseases. However, it is important to carry out agricultural care techniques: remove fallen leaves in a timely manner, avoid waterlogging, provide the plant with the necessary amount of nutrients, which will ensure even greater plant resistance to infections.
Mistakes gardeners make when applying fertilizers
Beginner gardeners often make mistakes when feeding jasmine bushes. The most common mistakes include:
- incorrectly calculated dosage. It is important to strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when preparing the solution;
- violation of feeding deadlines. Above we indicated the preferred timing for applying fertilizers;
- use of drugs after the expiration date. The elements that make up fertilizers lose their beneficial properties over time, so feeding jasmine with expired fertilizer will be pointless;
- uneven distribution of the drug over the area. It is important to fertilize correctly to avoid a deficiency or excess of substances in a particular area of the soil.
Jasmine is an amazing shrub that delights with abundant and long-lasting flowering. This plant can become the highlight of a garden plot. But so that the crop does not lose its attractive appearance, it is worth feeding the bush correctly and developing your own schedule for fertilizing mock orange.
Reproduction methods
You can propagate garden jasmine of double varieties in one of the following ways:
- seeds;
- layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
Seed propagation is quite labor-intensive and requires a long waiting time. Only after 6 - 7 years will the plant be pleased with abundant, lush flowering. For layering, the strongest, strongest shoots are selected, which are fixed in a shallow trench around the bush at the base of the first bud. Shoots for rooting are sprinkled with peat and moistened. During the season they are hilled up twice and cared for in the standard way. With the arrival of autumn, young seedlings are separated from the mother bush and planted in separate beds for growing.
For cuttings in June, cut branches 10 cm long along an oblique line. Planting material is planted in a greenhouse, after keeping them in a root-stimulating solution. Seedling care is standard: moistening, airing and hardening after rooting. Strong, healthy seedlings are planted in a permanent place only the next year.
The most effective and less time-consuming method of propagation is dividing the bush. First, the terry mock orange bush is watered abundantly and carefully dug up. Divide the roots with a sharp knife or garden shears so that each division remains with basal shoots. Dividing the bush is carried out only for adult plants in the fall - from the end of September to the end of October.
Planting and caring for terry mock orange
In order to grow a decorative, abundantly flowering jasmine bush on your site, you need to choose a bright, sunny place, protected from cold winds and drafts. Mock orange can easily tolerate light shade, but the flowering of the crop even in partial shade will be scant, rare and short-lived. The soil must be fertile and loose. The ideal place is a small hill.
Important! Terry mock orange does not tolerate wetlands with high groundwater levels. Under such conditions, the root system of the plant begins to rot.
Recommended timing
Young terry mock orange seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. In early or mid-April, planting is carried out in regions with a temperate climate. In the southern regions, it is advisable to plant garden jasmine in mid-October: before winter it has time to get stronger and develop a good root system.
Site selection and soil preparation
The optimal place for terry mock orange will be a hill without standing water, protected on the northern and eastern sides. For example, near the southern wall of a house, building, fence. Since jasmine does not tolerate waterlogging, it is worth taking care of good drainage from broken bricks or gravel. The soil mixture should consist of leaf humus, compost and sand.
Landing algorithm
Sequencing:
- Dig planting holes measuring 60x60, maintaining a distance between them of 0.8 - 1.5 m. For low-growing varieties of terry mock orange, especially when creating hedges, maintain the minimum specified distance, for tall bushes when planting in groups - at least 1.5 m.
- A drainage layer of at least 20 cm is laid at the bottom of the pits.
- Pour some fertile soil and place the seedling vertically, making sure that the root collar does not go deeper than 2-3 cm below the soil level.
- The young mock orange is covered with fertile soil and the soil is compacted.
- Water generously and mulch with fallen leaves or humus.
Important! When planting garden jasmine in planting holes, add nitroammophoska (25 - 30g) along with the soil.
Growing rules
Terry jasmine does not require special care. However, under no circumstances should the soil be allowed to become waterlogged or stagnate. Otherwise, the root system will begin to rot. But it is not recommended to allow the soil to dry out, since mock orange is still a moisture-loving plant. For rapid growth, active development and flowering, as well as successful overwintering, the shrub must be regularly fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. A mandatory method of agricultural technology is pruning mock orange - sanitary and formative.
Watering schedule
Watering terry jasmine is carried out with heated, settled water no more than 2 times a week. In rainy summers, watering is reduced to once a week, making sure that the soil in the tree trunk circle is not too waterlogged. For a single watering of an adult bush, 20 - 30 liters of water are required.
Important! Watering with cold water can lead to the development of infectious diseases.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Weeding of the terry mock orange tree trunk circle from weeds is carried out as needed. Loosening is carried out 3-4 times per season, followed by mulching with fallen leaves or humus. This measure helps protect the soil from drying out and supplies the soil with nutrients. Mulching the mock orange must be done in preparation for the winter period: this gives the roots additional heating, as well as after spring pruning.
Feeding schedule
Fertilizing terry jasmine with mineral and organic compounds is carried out only in the 2nd year after planting. The feeding schedule looks like this:
- Annual watering in early spring - slurry diluted with water in a ratio of 10:1.
- Before flowering, mineral fertilizing with 30 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium sulfate and urea diluted in 10 liters of water will ensure lush flowering of jasmine. This amount of fertilizer is enough for 2 adult bushes.
- After flowering, mock orange needs mineral fertilizers, which are applied directly to the soil: 20 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfate.
Trimming
Terry mock orange, especially the coronal one, needs crown formation. To give it a well-groomed, symmetrical appearance, long branches on the bush are cut off in early spring, and weak ones are shortened to the middle. After young shoots sprout through the awakened buds, they are removed without regret. On each stem, 2 - 3 strong, developed shoots are left. In the 3rd year, the mock orange bush takes on a beautiful shape and pleases with abundant, luxurious flowering. Every year, in early spring, it is mandatory to carry out sanitary pruning, removing old, dry, weak branches and all wilted flowers. Once every 5-6 years, rejuvenating pruning of the bush is carried out, cutting out almost all the branches. Only the main trunks, 4–5 cm long, are left, the rest are cut off near the base.
Important! After pruning the mock orange, all fresh cuts are treated with garden varnish, which will prevent the introduction of infection, the development of diseases and pests.
Preparing for winter
In central regions with a temperate climate, terry mock orange does not require shelter for the winter. If the tops of the shoots are damaged by frost, they are removed during sanitary pruning: the plant quickly recovers. Young seedlings that are less than a year old need shelter. It is organized using light-colored fabric - a special material, burlap - and tied with ropes.
Before the first frost, the soil around the tree trunk is deeply loosened and mulched with garden compost, humus or manure. In winter, make sure that the mock orange bushes do not bend under the weight of snow, and if there is a lot of it, then shake off the excess.
General rules for applying fertilizers
In order for jasmine to bloom timely and lushly, it is important not only to properly care for the bushes, but also to choose the appropriate fertilizers.
Agronomists have developed general rules for applying fertilizing, according to which the grower must:
- systematically fertilize the soil;
- introduce and alternate different types of fertilizers (organic, mineral and complex);
- select fertilizers, taking into account the type of soil and plant variety;
- take into account the timing and norms of applying a specific solution;
- distribute useful elements evenly over the entire surface;
- Follow manufacturers' recommendations for the dosage of a particular drug.
Pests and diseases
Terry varieties of mock orange are a plant that is resistant to diseases and pests and has unbreakable health. Among the pests, aphids, weevils, and spider mites pose a great danger to jasmine. They are combated with the help of insecticides. For preventive maintenance during spring treatment of shrubs, experienced gardeners advise using a solution of laundry soap. In this case, a piece of grated laundry soap will require 10 liters of warm water. A simple and affordable remedy will eliminate the risk of pests and infectious diseases.
