Sweet scent of Poet's Jasmine and Star Jasmine may grow on you

Q. I have asked several nurseries whether I can grow either Poet's Jasmine or Star Jasmine in Seattle, and I have gotten a different answer from each.

I would like to plant either one against the south wall of my brick house.

What is your opinion?

A: You've received an ambiguous answer, because Jasminus officinale, a vine whose star-shaped white flowers are so sweetly fragrant as to inspire poets, is marginally hardy in Seattle.

If you have a sheltered garden, or live near the water, or both, it is worth a try, particularly against a south-facing brick wall where it can soak up all available sun and warmth.

Star Jasmine is the common name for an entirely different plant, Trachelospermum jasminoides, an evergreen vine, also with fragrant white flowers, but even more chancy in our climate, for it is a little more tender than the Poet's Jasmine.

Q: I want to block out a view from a close neighbor into our bedroom.

There is a 6-foot fence, but our raised first-floor rooms look directly at each other. Our cement patio goes up to the property line, so I will need an evergreen container tree.

What do you think of a 'St. Mary' magnolia?

A: Magnolia grandiflora 'St Mary' is an effective screen, because it is evergreen, and if left unpruned will grow into a dense, bush-shaped small tree (to 20 feet).

Lemon-scented summer flowers outside your bedroom window would be an extra bonus, and the Sunset Western Garden Book recommends it for containers.

But be aware that this magnolia will not only grow to 20 feet high, but also every bit as wide, so might well end up dominating and shading your patio.

A row of evergreens that naturally have a more tall and narrow form might be better, such as black bamboo, Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), columnar Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris 'Fastigiata'), or heavenly bamboo

(Nandina species). For any tree or large shrub, you'll need to choose as large a container as possible, water frequently, root prune and refresh the soil annually.

Valerie Easton also writes about Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine.

Call 206-464-8470 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.