Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Friday - January 08, 2010

From: Salt Lake City, UT
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Use of non-native jasmine for wedding in Salt Lake City
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am getting married mid summer in Salt Lake City. I want to incorporate jasmine plants/flowers into my bouquet, centerpieces, etc. Is that feasible living in Salt Lake City? Would they survive long enough for a one day event if I had them shipped from out of town within the week? If so, how would I go about storing them until the big day? Also, could you be of any help in locating the closest florist who may be able to supply me with the flowers? And lastly, are there any other flowers that are comparable in size, color and fragrance that may be a better choice for use in Salt Lake City???I would really appreciate your help in this matter as I am not having any luck researching my answers. Thank you!

ANSWER:

Although there are some small native wildflowers with the word "jasmine" in one of their common names, we suspect you are interested in Jasminum polyanthum, a "true" jasmine as described in this Floridata article and sometimes referred to as winter jasmine. Or you might be thinking of Tracheospermum jasminoides, from another Floridata site. Some common names of this plant are Confederate jasmine, or star jasmine. Both are natives to China and both are hardy from USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 11. Salt Lake City is in approximately Zone 5b, so neither plant could be grown there year-round.

That is about as much information as we can give you. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. We are assuming that the main attraction of these flowers for your wedding is their wonderful fragrance. Your best bet is to locate a local florist, and keep calling until you find one who at least has some suggestions. We have no connections with nor information about florists. We deal with the plant itself, usually as a part of landscaping or land restoration. Most flowers from florists are non-natives, so you could find one who could either provide you with jasmine cuttings, or suggest other flowers comparable in size, color and fragrance as you requested.  

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Problems with non-native citrus trees from Mesa AZ
January 13, 2014 - We have one valencia orange tree and one naval orange tree in our Mesa, AZ yard. Just noticed some oranges on both trees have a 1/4 inch diameter hole through the skin and the orange fruit and skin a...
view the full question and answer

Shy blooming non-native Crape Myrtle, in Littlestown Pennsylvania
July 25, 2011 - My Crape myrtle has been planted about three years, and reached a height of about 4'. It blooms late July and for the past two years, has only had one or two blooms on it. I have a lot of buds whic...
view the full question and answer

Advisability of growing Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)
November 26, 2013 - I just received a load of clay-mix-dirt - and after our recent rains noticed the pile sprouting what looks like "Milk Thistle." Lots of them. The leaves are spiny and variegated - quite pretty. ...
view the full question and answer

Care for non-native tropical hibiscus in Houston
April 15, 2010 - How to care for a tropical hibiscus plant? How much water, sun, fertilizer? I am novice gardener in Houston, TX. From much reading, April seems to be the month I cut all blooms and let the plant lie d...
view the full question and answer

Are Verbena Annuals Deer Resistant?
March 25, 2015 - Are Verbena Estrella Pink Star annuals deer resistant?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.