Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Tricolor’ is a versatile, evergreen, semi-prostrate shrub or slow-growing twining vine, highly valued for its striking variegated foliage. The glossy, oval leaves are a rich mixture of green, cream, and white, with the new growth and cold-weather exposure often turning brilliant shades of deep pink and red. This vibrant colouration gives it year-round appeal. While its flowering is less prolific than the plain green star jasmine, it still produces small, highly fragrant, star-shaped white flowers in summer. Its slow, dense growth habit makes it excellent as a ground cover, for trailing over walls, or as an accent plant in containers.
Care Tips:
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Position: Prefers a spot in partial shade or bright, filtered light. Too much hot, direct sun can scorch the delicate variegated foliage, while too much deep shade may reduce the pink and red colouration.
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Soil: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
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Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells and hot weather. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.
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Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain a dense, tidy shape and control its spread. If using it as a climber, you will need to tie the new shoots to the support structure as it is a slow climber.
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Fertilising: Feed in spring and autumn with a slow-release fertiliser to maintain dense, healthy growth.
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Tolerances: It is quite hardy, tolerating moderate frost and dry conditions once established, but it looks its best with consistent moisture.
