Winter
jasmine was a popular flower for the dark cold days
of winter, particularly grown near or over doorways
and windows where it would be 'all alive and full of
golden light' with its generous display of yellow flowers.
For the gardener suffering through the gloom of winter,
it was like a reassurance that not everything had succumbed
to the wintry grave.
The
jasmine was introduced into Britain from China by Mr.
Robert Fortune in the 1840s (Mr Fortune making several
expeditions to China on behalf of the Royal
Horticultural Society). It was a very hardy winter
shrub - unaffected by everything save the most severe
and prolonged blizzard.
Any
soil would suit the plant, but Hibberd advised a sheltered
spot with a dry, warm, sandy soil would suit it best.
The growing stems needed to be nailed to the wall, and
the growth pruned back occasionally - but not too much,
which would be a terrible mistake.
