Sambac, also known as Arabian Jasmine, is a fragrant flowering plant that graces gardens with its small, white, star-shaped blossoms. These delightful flowers emit a sweet and intoxicating aroma, making Sambac a favourite choice for gardeners looking to add both beauty and a lovely scent to their outdoor space.
Planting Calendar
Sambac can be planted during the warmer months of the year such as spring and summer.
Harvest In
Sambac flowers in summer.
Prepare
AKA. Arabian Jasmin Also known as Mogra, Mullipuvvu, Mallika, Mallige and Motiya. The fragrant flowers of this plant are used for religious offerings, in perfumes and fragrances, and in concocting the fragrant and delicious jasmine tea. It is probably the most popular variety of jasmine in the world. It most likely originated in India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, but it is now cultivated the world over, especially in South and South East Asia, and in Central and South America. The scent profile of jasmine sambac, also called Arabian jasmine, is sweet, musky, and sultry. Sambac is a twining or scrambling evergreen shrub which can be grown as a twining shrubby vine if support is provided, or as a sprawling shrub without any support. Well suited to fragrant, cottage or tropical gardens it can also be grown in a pot on the patio where its sweet fragrance can be enjoyed.
Position
Sambac prefers a warm sheltered position out of cold winds.
Soil
When planted into the ground Sambac prefer a free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains Saturaid, which helps with moisture retention in the soil.
Plant
When planting into the ground, ensure the plants is well watered then, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plant’s root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together. Backfill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay. When planting into containers plant into Kings Container Mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist.
Care
Watering
Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than just allowing it to run off the top of the surface of the soil, aiming to keep the soil moist during hot periods.
Feeding
For strong healthy roots and plants, apply monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health
Protecting
Protect from winter cold and frosts.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the trunk or base of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to lock moisture in the ground. Replenish mulch each spring.
Spraying
Spray for Aphids if needed with Bugtrol.
Expert Tip
Making Jasmine Tea. Flowers should be plucked during the warmth of the day when the dew has dried, as buds or freshly opened flowers. I drop them directly onto a layer of tea in a large jar with a wide opening. Using black or green tea, place a layer of tea in the bottom of a jar with a large opening. Place a layer of fresh jasmine flowers over tea. Add another layer of tea over top. Repeat as jasmine blooms, if desired. Note: I use 1/4 cup of tea, and just enough jasmine flowers to cover the tea, then add the second tea layer of 1/4 cup. Place a can or small weight on top of the tea. Cover tightly with lid. Allow jasmine flowers to perfume the tea for at least 24 hours, up to several weeks. Remove weight. It is okay to leave dried jasmine flowers in the tea. Store in a cool dark place.