Would you buy this plant?

Hi all,

I’d be interested to hear people’s thoughts on the star Jasmine shown in the pics, which is being offered at half price. I was initially tempted to snap up a large plant at a bargain price, but I’ve since read that red leaves won’t turn green again and will just fall off. It doesn’t look very happy, so it feels like I’d be taking a considerable punt on whether it’s healthy enough to recover and sprout new foliage. Are there any questions I should be asking the vendor I wonder ? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

Its a sign of stress in this case with star jasmine its very likely cold weather nothing to worry about, with this plant its common and seen as added season interest . Would I buy it probably yes depending on price ?

 

I agree the red leaves are nothing much to worry about but would be concerned that the plant looks too big to re-establish itself well.
I think you'd be better off buying a smaller plant, bigger is not always best!

 

I think the first question is "how much" and the second, what do you want to do with the plant?

If your plan is to have a big impact this summer, a mature, bargain price plant is a treasure

If your plan is to for example coat a fence with a climber, a small plant will do it over time, with a fraction of the cost.

 

Hi all, thanks for all your replies, they’ve made me realise I’ve asked the wrong question! What I should have asked is whether you think this plant will recover? And if so, how long it will take? I’m looking to put it in the ground for fence coverage. I already have other jasmines, planted in 2021 which are all doing pretty well, even if they’re pretty slow growing, so I think my conditions should be ok.

 

Where there is new green growth, it looks healthy, so yes, there's every chance that when it's planted in a generously-prepared hole it will settle in and grow well.
It's true that Trachelospermums do shed their old leaves like any other evergreen.

 

That’s normal winter colour in colder parts of the country, probably made worse by being potbound. The red leaves should green up in spring. When you plant it, add an organic mulch around it, with a few handfuls of blood, fish and bone to give it a boost, and keep it watered well.

 

Looks fine to me. If it is a good price I would buy it [ well I wouldn't because I don't like them, but that isn't the point ]

 

I agree with what has been said already. Around me there are plenty that don't show any red colouration this winter but they are in the ground and in a sunny position. The ones that are in pots or in dull aspects, tend to go red to varying degrees.

The plant doesn't look to leggy or bald in places, so if you are happy with the price I wouldn't let it put you off.

 

I have a Star Jasmine in a big pot. It usually goes red in winter. Loads of new leaves grow in the spring. I feed it when I feed the roses and keep it moist in summer. It's fine. If it's a good price and you want a big plant then go for it.

 

Ours is looking exactly that @Dave King ( but just at the top ) and does so every winter. In the warmer months, it will return to “ normal” display colours.

 

Bear in mind that the star jasmine is not a true jasmine but Trachelospermum jasminoides. Both can be heavily scented apart from J. nudiflorum which makes up for it by flowering in winter and is very hardy.

 

Thanks for everyone’s input, sounds like it’s a pretty safe bet.

I’ve also spoken to the nursery and they said the red leaves are the result of the cold snap. As they’re on top of the north downs in Kent I guess that does explain it. My garden, although not that far away is in a far more sheltered position, which I guess explains why my existing Jasmines (in the ground) haven’t massively suffered from this problem.

Anyway, I’m going to proceed with purchase, at less than half the original sale price it sounds like I’ve snapped up a bargain! Thanks for all your help

 

Hi Dave, So if you are going ahead with it I would keep it in the pot in a sheltered place until the weather improves i.e. gets warmer and then as it has probably been in the pot for a while I would take it out and tease out as many of the roots as I can before planting with a bit of bone meal mixed in the hole.

 

Ok thanks for that, feeding and teasing out noted. Should hopefully be ok from the protection front as garden is pretty sheltered. Thanks