Jasminum officinale var. grandiflorum

Jasminum officinale var. grandiflorum, the Spanish or Royal jasmine, is the large-flowered, intensely fragrant jasmine of perfume and tradition, a semi-evergreen twining vine that opens clusters of pure white, star-shaped flowers whose scent is among the most prized in the plant world. Larger-flowered and more tender than the common poet's jasmine, this is the plant behind jasmine absolute, the costly essence at the heart of classic perfumery.

The Spanish jasmine carries a long cultural and medicinal history. Known in India as jati or chameli, the flowers hold a central place in Ayurveda, valued as bitter and astringent, and used traditionally for wounds, skin complaints, and ulcers of the mouth, and as a calming, mood-lifting fragrance. The blossoms scent temples, garlands, teas, and oils across South Asia and the Mediterranean, where the plant has been grown and traded for centuries. This is traditional-use information, shared for interest only, and not medical advice.

As garden plants go, Spanish jasmine wants warmth. The vine thrives in zone nine and can be carried through zone eight with shelter and a protected wall, and elsewhere is often grown in a greenhouse or a large pot moved under cover for winter. Give the plant a support, full sun to light shade, and well-drained soil, and it climbs and flowers freely.

Grow Spanish jasmine where the extraordinary fragrance can be enjoyed: on a trellis, arbor, or pergola beside a door, window, or seat, spilling over a warm wall, or in a container on a terrace. The white flowers show against dark foliage and glow at dusk, and a single plant can perfume a courtyard. Pair with other fragrant plants for an evening garden, and bring the pot indoors where winters are hard.