The richly aromatic and beautiful jasmine flower is one of the most popular scents of flower and fragrance. There are over 200 kinds of jasmine plants growing around the world. This list covers 22 of the most popular types of jasmine flowers and their history, characteristics, and symbolism.
About Jasmine Flowers
All 200 species of Jasmine flowers belong to the Jasminum genus. The most popular variety of Jasmine is Jasminum officinale.
The Jasmine flower is part of the Oleaceae – olive – family, which has over 200 fragrant vines and shrubs that flower.
Characteristics
Jasmine plants vary by how they smell, how many petals there are, the shape of the petals, and the flower color.
These flowers usually have a sweet scent and five to six lobes. Jasmines can classify into two groups: vines or shrubs.
Symbolism
Jasmine has multiple symbols. In India, it’s a sacred plant with strong spiritual significance and a sign of good luck, divine hope, and optimism.
And in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan, Jasmine is the national flower and means love, respect, and an attachment to the state.
History
The Jasmine species started near western China in the Himalayas. Other species come from Eurasia and Oceania, and even around the Mediterranean.
22 Types of Jasmine Flowers For Your Home
Although there are 200 types of jasmine flower, we’ve limited the selection to a shorter group of popular jasmine varieties. In addition, we’ve included jasmine flowers that form on shrubs or as vines. We even feature different jasmine colors of white, yellow, and more.
Common Jasmine
Common Jasmine – Jasminum officinale – is the most widespread, ancient, and popular species are grown worldwide. This variety of climbing vine reaches 25 feet and produces an intense aroma.
They bloom delicate pure white five-petal star-shaped flowers formed in clusters during summer and fall. Foliage is pointy and fuzzy.
Showy Jasmine
Showy Jasmine is native to China and is also known as Florida jasmine or Jasminum floridum. As an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub, it’s drought-tolerant and easy to maintain.
These shrub plants can have widths and heights of three to five feet with dark green foliage and small yellow six-petaled flowers.
Winter jasmine
Winter jasmine – Jasminum nudiflorum – is the perfect species to grow in cold climates due to its blooming habit in winter.
The larger yellow Jasmine flowers can grow as shrubs or vines, with a heady fragrance from four feet to 15’. Their ability to give erosion protection makes them great for borders, gardens, or grown on balconies.
Jasminum mesnyl
Jasminum mesnyl is more commonly known as Primrose jasmine, a shrubby six-foot plant that erupts in small clusters of prominent large yellow flowers in spring.
Although stunning and bold when in abundant bloom, these Jasmines cannot tolerate cold or frost. Due to its fast growth, you can use this climber for various situations, including a living fence.
Pink Jasmine
Pink Jasmine – Jasminum polyanthum – is a Chinese native variety that produces stunning flower buds in shocking magenta that turns into fancy five-petal flowers in white with pink tints in spring and winter. This species is one of the most fragrant types.
The pink jasmine plant can grow up to 25 feet tall on a climbing vine in full sun or shade. However, the formation of large clusters of flowers that cover the entire vine often requires support, like a stand or trellis.
Asian Star jasmine
Asian jasmine flower – Jasminum Multiflorum – is a scrambling shrub used decoratively due to the seven petaled, non-fragrant star flowers and glossy emerald green leaves.
The star jasmine vine can grow up to 10 feet tall and 15 feet wide, but you can train it to grow in a container. It flowers off and on year-round.
Night-Blooming Jasmine
Night-Blooming Jasmine – Jasminum Dichotomum – flowers open at night, matching their white star shape that starts as pink. This species is also known as the Gold Coast jasmine.
Cape Jasmine
Cape Jasmine is not a true Jasmine but is a Gardenia, botanically known as Gardenia jasminoides. This plant has emerald green lance-shaped leaves, an incredible fragrance, and white ruffled flowers.
Royal Jasmine
Jasminum grandiflorum is the botanical name of Royal Jasmine, a medium height species that can grow to heights of 15 feet. As a more subtly scented species, Royal (Spanish Jasmine) is the largest type of Jasmine flower, if not the tallest growing vine.
Spanish Jasmine blooms in fall and winter, different from the other varieties. However, they also bloom in summer. The flowers form in clusters, producing a subtle aroma often used in perfumes, teas, and jasmine flavorings. Royal is also edible.
Arabian Jasmine
The Arabian Jasmine plant – Jasminum sambac – is the Phillippines’ national plant. And it’s the typical species used for Jasmine tea and as the spice that gives the classic aroma.
The Arabian jasmine flower is small and multi-layered that doesn’t form in clusters. The Arabian Jasmine is white, although it can turn pink as they mature, and the leaves are oval, with clear veins.
Dwarf Jasmine
Dwarf Jasmine – Jasminum parkeri – is a shorter shrub version that only reaches 12” tall and a few feet in spread. But this type of plant doesn’t sprawl out or climb like many other types of Jasmine.
In summer, this evergreen plant produces dainty five-round petaled bright, vivid yellow flowers. But year-round, you get to enjoy lush green foliage, making this short species a popular choice for topiary uses, bouquets, and floral arrangements.
Wild Jasmine
Wild Jasmine – Jasminum Fruticans – is another lovely yellow flower that forms on low-growing shrubs up to 12 feet. You can use these for shrubs, hanging plants, ground covers, or hedges.
The vibrant yellow flowers pop against the dark green foliage in spring and summer. However, they do not have a fragrance.
Forest Jasmine
Forest Jasmine – Jasminum abyssinicum – is a plant found growing at high altitudes in mountain wood canopies.
As climbers, you can see these flowers at the tops of the trees, reaching 16 to 18 feet. The vines grow up towards the sun, and in summer, they form white flowers tinted pink at the tips.
Lemon-Scented Jasmine
Lemon-Scented Jasmine – Jasminum azoricum – lives up to its name with the aroma made by the lanced leaves and small white flowers with thin green necks that bloom in summer.
Year-round, these 10’ to 12-foot shrubs have a lemon scent that is an attractant for butterflies and bees to help pollinate your garden.
Italian Jasmine
Italian Jasmine – Jasminum humile – is a shorter shrub that can give you gorgeous vibrant yellow flowers and glossy green leaves. It can grow as a shrub or a vine, reaching 8 to 13 feet.
You can enjoy the five drooping petals that resemble small bells and form in clusters of six sweet-smelling flowers in spring and summer. The ease of growth makes this Jasmine a popular beginner plant that attracts bees.
Downy Jasmine
Downy Jasmine – Jasminum pubescens – is an 8’ to 12’ shrub that forms downy white flowers on a climbing vine of thick paddle green leaves.
You can enjoy these small flowers heavily blanketing the plants during spring and summer. Train them to stay short or let them grow to their full height as a vine.
Jasminum Vahl
Jasminum Vahl – Jasminum auriculatum – is an exotic plant native to India and Thailand. These varieties are harvested for their decorations and oils.
The tiny white flowers have a gardenia scent rather than the typical Jasmine smell. And the shrub can grow to short heights of four to five feet.
Coral Jasmine
Coral Jasmine – Nyctanthes arbortristis – can get 25 to 30 feet tall and is night-blooming jasmine that grows flowers accented with orange in the middle. Another name is the tree of sorrow since it won’t bloom in the daytime.
Angel Wing Jasmine
Angel Wing Jasmine – Jasminum nitidum – is a taller form of Jasmine that can reach 20 feet as a vigorously growing vine. This type can work as a source of ground cover, hung from a ceiling, or planted with support.
The biggest noticeable feature of this variety is the unique flowers. They have pointy leaves and narrow, long petals larger than other jasmine flowers with a purplish tint.
Stiff Jasmine
Stiff Jasmine – Jasminum Volubile – is a creeper vine found in the rainforests in Australia. It has emerald green egg leaves with white, star-shaped flowers on hanging branches.
FAQ
Keep going with these frequently asked questions about Jasmine flowers.
Are Jasmine Plants Toxic?
Jasmines that belong to the Oleaceae family are not toxic to people or pets – dogs, cats, or horses. But false jasmines are poisonous.
What Type of Jasmine Is the Most Fragrant?
The most fragrant type of Jasmine is Common Jasmine, also known as Poet’s jasmine or Jasminum officinale.
Which Jasmine Has the Largest Flowers?
Royal Jasmine has the largest type of flowers.
What Is Meant by True and False Jasmine?
True Jasmine flowers belong to the Oleaceae family, while false jasmines do not and are not related to true Jasmines.
Are Jasmine Plants Annuals or Perennials?
Jasmine plants are perennials.
Conclusion
Jasmine flowers are most known for their rich fragrance and white flowers. But we’ve shown several types of jasmine plants that have pink and yellow flowers and some species of Jasmine that don’t have a fragrance. The look and size can also vary by Jasmine type.