Years ago, nurseries were fairly boring places. The plants were rarely sold in flower, and not much effort went into presenting them. However, times have changed dramatically. These days nothing cheers gardeners up more than a trip to the local nursery. Not only do modern nurseries sell plants in flower (ranging from potted bloomers to advanced flowering climbers, shrubs and trees), but they also provide customers with ideas, inspiration and advice. It often takes years of work to prepare some plants for sale, so in a sense when you buy a beautifully finished plant such as a topiary or standard, you are really buying time.

Star jasmine

To see what goes on behind the scenes, Don visited a wholesale nursery and looked at star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) plants being readied for sale. Star jasmine is a climber, but these particular plants had been grown as standards with the traditional ball-on-a-stick shape. While the plants were being trained, the stakes in each pot were tied to a grid of barbed wire to keep the plants upright and prevent them blowing over in the wind. An irrigation system had been set up with a separate line to each pot.

Star Jasmine is an evergreen twiner with thick glossy green leaves and beautifully perfumed, starry white flowers in late spring and summer. It is moderately vigorous, but it's not a true jasmine so it will not strangle other plants in the garden. It can be grown in a pot or in the ground, and will flower in both sun and semi-shade.

Further information

Star jasmine is readily available at nurseries and garden centres. Expect to pay around $18 for plants in 200mm (8") pots, and about $150 for standardised star jasmine in 300mm (12") pots.

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