Quick Guide: winter, hardy, sun/ shade, height: 3m/10ft, width: 2.4m/8ft

The winter-flowering jasmine, jasminium nudiflorurn, is a rambler which will bear its bright yellow flowers in almost any situation except one where the buds might be nipped by cold winds. The flowers appear in the axils of the previous season's leaves and are excellent for cutting. There are no named varieties.

GROWING Plant from autumn to spring in any well-drained soil, against a wall or where the plant can clamber over a bank. Provide supports as the branches will need tying in regularly. Prune in early spring: cut out old, weak stems and cut back flowered side shoots to within 7.5cm/3in of the base.

PROPAGATION Layer in autumn or take 7.5cm/3in cuttings of semi-ripe wood in late summer. Cut just below a node and place in a peat/sand mixture. Overwinter at 7-10°C;/45-50°F. Pot up when rooted and plant out in the autumn.

VARIETIES The species is sturdy and reliable. Named varieties include `Lutens', all-yellow flowers, slow to reach maturity; `Grandiflorus', larger flowers but less fragrant.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Mealy bugs on soft shoots.