Juiced® Orange Jessamine grows outdoors in USDA zones 7 through 10 and performs best in full to part sun. It is not fussy about soil, but it rewards you for rich, well-draining ground and steady moisture while it establishes. In colder zones it makes an excellent patio container plant that can be sheltered over winter.
Planting
- Choose a site with full to part sun; more sun generally means more bloom.
- Work in compost to improve drainage and fertility, and make sure water never pools at the spot.
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and about twice as wide to loosen the surrounding soil.
- Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and firm gently.
- Water in thoroughly and spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping it pulled back a couple of inches from the stems.
Care & maintenance
- Water. Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season; once established, water deeply during heat and dry spells.
- Feed. Apply a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins, and again in early summer to fuel the long bloom run.
- Light. Full to part sun; in the hottest climates a little afternoon shade helps keep foliage fresh.
- Prune. This jessamine flowers on new growth, so prune in late winter or early spring before growth starts to shape it and encourage more flowering wood. A light trim after a flush keeps it tidy and can spur rebloom.
- Mulch & winter care. Maintain mulch year-round to hold moisture and buffer roots; in the cooler end of its range, an extra layer protects against cold snaps, and container plants should be moved to shelter before hard frost.
- Pests & disease. Generally trouble-free; watch for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites in warm, dry conditions and treat early with insecticidal soap. Good drainage prevents most root issues.