I moved back to Ohio after thirty years in Calif., and last summer found some vines, described as Confederate Star Jasmine that I purcashed and tucked into corners of my house next to the front steps. I missed their smell SO much. However, now I'm faced with the dilemma of winter. I'm solidly in 5, however I live next to a small lake, which freezes over solid in winter, but does modulate temps a bit.
Any recommendations of how to keep these lovely vines for next year? I was thinking just leaving them in and heavily mulching w/ leaves. Not sure when/where/ or if I should cut them back. Alternatively, I could try to bring them in a houseplants, but I'm not thrilled about that option. Inside air is VERY dry, and I don't think they'd be happy.
Any thoughts?
I've enjoyed being a 'silent reader' of this forum!
Overwintering Confederate(?) Star Jasmine
I'm assuming this is what you have? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55230/ It's only listed as hardy to zone 8, but I think I've seen some people in zone 7 saying they're growing it so it may be slightly hardier than it says here. But zone 5 would really be a stretch, I don't think it would have much chance even with leaves piled over it.
I would go ahead and bring it inside--as long as you don't put it somewhere that a heating vent is blowing directly on it, it should be fine for the winter. It does just fine out here in CA where the humidity is pretty low so I don't think it would die from a few months of dry indoor air as long as you avoid the heating vents. I think it definitely has a better chance of surviving dry indoor air than it does of surviving the cold weather. Or if you have a couple of them and want to experiment, try some inside and some outside, that way you haven't lost all of them either way.
Thanks for the info! Will do!
I knew I was kind of stretching the envelope LOL
If I ever had to move back to Ohio I'd be trying to stretch the envelope too! LOL That must be hard having lived here for so long with mild winters and having to go back to snow & freezing temperatures!
I've overwintered Confederate Jasmine in containers in an unheated room in the attic (temperature 35-45 F all winter). They go dormant and need little or no water.
Thanks for the info Carpe_ Diem. I've got a small 'green closet' in my enclosed breezeway, surrounding my potting bench. I'm planning on keeping that area 45-50deg. this winter to try to over-winter upright fuschias by forcing dormancy. It sounds like the jasmine could be done the exact same way! I think I'll try several methods. I 'm so pleased that there are some ways to do this, cuz I have missed that lovely fragrance since I moved back here. Even though it's been in the 40's here, I still have two in a protected place in the ground and they remain green and glossy-time to definately get them up and out this weekend---Thanks again!