This lovely garden features a row of sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua) planted as a privacy screen along the front fence, and a charming arbour over the gate. Don showed how to plant and train climbers over the arbour, to create a really spectacular entry to the home in as little as 12-18 months!
Star jasmine
Don chose star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) to grow over the arbour. This evergreen climber has glossy, green leaves and vanilla-scented, star-shaped, white flowers. It grows with medium vigour but can be slow growing in the early years. Star jasmine flowers in sun or semi-shade, and grows in most areas of Australia. This versatile plant can be grown on a wire frame as a screen, trained over an arch or pergola, planted in containers or grown as a ground cover or standard. It should be pruned after flowering to remove spent flowers and keep growth under control.
Planting tips
Check the location of all services on your property (water pipes, gas, sewerage, power, phone, etc), so you can avoid damaging them when you dig the holes. (For more information, phone Dial Before You Dig on 1100, or visit www.dialbeforeyoudig.com.au)
Always scrape back the mulch before you start digging. Then dig the holes, plant your climbers and replace the mulch.
The trick with getting the vine into place is to use budding tape to tie the plant as a temporary measure, until it all looks right. Budding tape is soft and gentle and wont damage the plant, but it will eventually crack and fall off. So when it all looks right, go back and re-tie loosely with plastic/wire ties and carefully remove the budding tape. (Note: plant ties should be checked and adjusted occasionally, as plants grow bigger.)
Ask at your local nursery for help selecting the best climber for your particular area and situation. Star jasmine is readily available at nurseries and garden centres. Expect to pay around $16 for small plants. Larger specimens can cost up to $200.
Budding tape costs about $8 for 100m, from most garden centres.