Winter jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum, family Oleaceae
In its own language: 迎春花
A yellow-flowered shrub that blooms in winter and early spring
Winter jasmine is a deciduous shrub from China, known for its bright yellow flowers that open on bare stems in the coldest months. Gardeners value it for bringing color to gardens when few other plants are in bloom, and it is often grown on walls or as groundcover.
- Blooms with yellow flowers in the coldest months
- Native to several provinces in China
- Often grown on walls or as groundcover
- Known as 'the flower that welcomes Spring' in Chinese
- Recognized with a major horticultural award
What does Winter jasmine look like?
Winter jasmine is a slender shrub that can reach about 3 meters in height and width, with long, arching green stems. Its leaves are dark green and divided into three oval leaflets. The plant produces small, bright yellow or sometimes white flowers, each with six petals, which often appear before any leaves have grown. Flowers are about 1 centimeter across and are usually found singly along the stems.
Where does Winter jasmine come from?
This plant is native to several regions in China, including Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan. It was collected in China by Robert Fortune and formally described in the mid-19th century. Over time, winter jasmine has been introduced to gardens in many other countries and has become naturalized in parts of France and the United States.
When and how Winter jasmine blooms
Winter jasmine blooms during the cold months, with flowers appearing from late autumn through early spring. It is often planted against walls for warmth or used as groundcover. The shrub tolerates heavy pruning, which is best done after flowering. It can also be shaped as a bonsai and responds well to wiring. Propagation is commonly done by layering.
How Winter jasmine is used
Gardeners grow winter jasmine mainly for its early flowers, which brighten gardens when few other plants are in bloom. It is often seen trained along walls or cascading over slopes. The plant has also been recognized for its value in gardens by horticultural societies. In China, its early bloom is associated with the coming of spring.
Kinds of Winter jasmine
Winter jasmine is known by different names in various countries, reflecting its spread beyond China. While the species itself is most widely grown, it is sometimes cultivated as a bonsai. The plant has adapted well to different climates where it has been introduced.
What Winter jasmine means
In China, winter jasmine is called 'the flower that welcomes Spring' and is admired for its ability to bloom in cold weather. The plant has received awards for its performance in gardens. Its bright flowers are a symbol of the changing season and are appreciated for bringing color to winter landscapes.
Questions people ask about Winter jasmine
Where does winter jasmine come from?
Winter jasmine is native to central and southwestern China, including regions such as Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan. It has also become established in gardens in other countries.
What does winter jasmine look like?
It is a shrub with arching green stems and dark green leaves divided into three parts. Its small, bright yellow or white flowers appear on bare branches before the leaves emerge.
When does winter jasmine flower?
Winter jasmine produces its flowers from late autumn through early spring, making it one of the few plants to bloom during the coldest months.
How is winter jasmine used?
Gardeners plant it for its winter and early spring flowers. It is often trained along walls, used as groundcover, or shaped as a bonsai. Its early bloom is celebrated in China.
What does winter jasmine symbolize?
In China, winter jasmine is seen as a sign of the coming spring, as its flowers open before many other plants, earning it the name 'the flower that welcomes Spring.'
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Jasminum nudiflorum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Jasminum nudiflorum", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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