Not Roses: The Fresh-Smelling Flower That'll Stun In A Container Garden

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Soft petals, sweet fragrance, and classic beauty — roses have it all. The flowering plants have long been a popular choice for container gardens, and honestly, it makes sense. They're relatively easy to grow in pots and bloom in many colors to keep your container interesting. Roses are far from the only flowering option, though. Take, for instance, Stephan jasmine (Jasminum × stephanense). It is a member of the olive family and was created by crossing red jasmine (Jasminum beesianum) with common jasmine (Jasminum officinale). Its flowers are star-shaped and have a distinctive sweet fragrance that becomes more intense in the evening.

The blooms on this graceful climber, which can reach heights of 20 feet, appear on the plant from spring to summer in clusters. If you're looking for container-grown plants that will work in a vertical garden, Stephan jasmine is definitely a top pick. It is also a good option if you're trying to attract pollinators to your garden — bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds find the plant's nectar-filled flowers irresistible. If your patio is often visited by deer, worry not. These cute but pesky mammals rarely eat this flowering vine. Want a winter plant to decorate your patio for a gorgeous pop of color? Don't count on Stephan jasmine. It's a tender perennial in Zones 7 to 9, where it will die back completely in cold winters. If you live outside of these zones, you'll need to grow it as an annual or overwinter it indoors.

The first thing you want to do when growing Stephan jasmine — also known as Madagascar jasmine — in containers is to make sure that you choose the perfect pot. Pick a vessel that's larger than 20 inches deep and wide and has lots of drainage holes. Stephan jasmine hates sitting in soggy soil. Other than that, make sure that the soil is fertile and that you choose, ideally, a full sun spot. While Stephan jasmine will tolerate part shade, it can reduce blooming. You'll also need to provide this enthusiastic climber with some support. This 6-foot-tall Anothera Black Garden Obelisk Trellis costs about $20, or you could create a garden trellis using a few closet staples you already own. Not a fan of trellises? Use wire or rope to encourage your potted Stephan jasmine to grow up your patio wall.

You can grow Stephan jasmine from cuttings or layering — where shoots are rooted on the parent plant. Or, of course, you can buy potted plants from speciality nurseries and even big box retailers like Walmart during the growing season. This fast-growing flowering vine takes just five to 10 years to reach full height. Once you get it in the ground, Stephan jasmine is very low-maintenance, adaptable to most soil types and pH levels, and doesn't need regular pruning. This hybrid isn't a heavy feeder, either. Lightly apply a balanced fertilizer in spring, avoiding nitrogen-rich formulations for abundant flowers. Lastly, as mentioned, keep the soil moist but not saturated. Container-grown plants typically need more frequent watering than those in garden beds because the soil dries out faster.