Three-tone foliage
Green centres, cream margins and pink colour on young or cold-season growth sustain interest beyond flowering.
Trachelospermum 'Star of Milano'® 15cm
Normal price
€17,00
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Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘TRSUZ01’ Star of Milano®
Miniature star-like flowers with a fragrant touch ✨
- Cream leaf margins
- Scented pink flowers
- About 3 × 2m
- Chelsea shortlist 2024
Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘TRSUZ01’ Star of Milano® is an evergreen star jasmine of manageable scale that combines two unusual details: green leaves edged in cream and flushed pink when young, together with fragrant flowers in pink and very pale bicoloured tones. Slender woody stems make a light vertical surface in which every bright leaf remains distinct. Seen closely it looks intricate and lively; from farther away it reads as a calm mosaic of green, cream and pink. Little pinwheel flowers emerge among the bright edges of the foliage, adding a second, finer layer of interest.
On a small pergola, a trellis beside a seating area or in a bright terrace corner, the variegated foliage creates a light backdrop that remains attractive without flowers. Beside plain green plants, its cream and pink details stand out clearly, giving the composition a calm, luminous character.
Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘TRSUZ01’ Star of Milano® received a KVBC bronze distinction in 2021 and was shortlisted for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year in 2024; it was not the winner.
What makes it special
An evergreen lattice of cream margins, pink young growth and scented bicoloured flowers, held at a more manageable scale.
Scented pink pinwheels
Small five-lobed flowers open pink to very pale bicolours and perfume a nearby path.
Manageable climbing habit
Twining stems fill wires or mesh to about 3 × 2m, relying on training rather than self-attachment.
Why you will love it: it brings evergreen vertical structure, fragrance and genuine colour change to a place where a much larger climber would overwhelm the space.
In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsVariegated vertical accent · sun to bright partial shade · firm wires
A bright pink lattice
Train it on firm wires, a narrow trellis or a small pergola near an entrance or seat. Give morning or later-day sun and allow about 1–1.2m between plants when you want their surfaces to meet without losing the variegated pattern.
Cream with deep purple
Cream edges and pink flowers read cleanly beside true purple, silver foliage and a low dark base.
- Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ — dark purple spires that echo the pink without competing with the leaves.
- Lavandula angustifolia — a low silver-green mass on the outer, drier edge, beyond the climber’s more regularly watered root zone.
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — a dark basal contrast where the site receives gentle morning light.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun to bright partial shade; good light strengthens the variegation, but avoid fiercely reflected afternoon heat.
Watering
Keep evenly moist while rooting and water deeply in heat, allowing the surface to dry slightly between soakings.
Climate & hardiness
Evergreen, with an RHS H4 hardiness rating; favour a sheltered position and free winter drainage.
Safety
Not intended for consumption; milky sap can irritate, so wear gloves when pruning.
Detailed careComplete care guideEight practical points: Position, Support, Watering, Soil, Feeding, Pruning, Winter, Safety.
Position
Choose a bright sheltered aspect with airflow and a close view of the variegated leaves.
Support
Install wires or mesh before planting and wind young stems loosely, using ties that do not constrict them.
Watering
Water regularly through the first growing period and deeply in summer heat, checking that surplus drains quickly.
Soil
Use fertile, organic but freely drained soil, from slightly acidic to neutral.
Feeding
Apply a light balanced feed in spring; excess nitrogen lengthens stems and dilutes the pattern.
Pruning
After the main flush, remove only wayward tips and redistribute stems over their support.
Winter
Protect the root zone from prolonged frost and keep the base drier, especially in an exposed pot.
Safety
Wear gloves and clean tools and hands after cutting because stems release white milky sap.
Development over timeHow the support gains colourThree stages from pink young shoots to a scented bicoloured lattice.
Pink young tips
Young leaves open with a pink to reddish flush on the first tied stems.
Evergreen cream pattern
Centres turn green, cream margins sharpen and side shoots fill the support.
Scented flowering
Pink and very pale bicoloured flowers open across the organised evergreen surface.
Mature habit & dimensions
established mature plantHeight about 3mSpread about 2mTwining woody stems
Mature Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘TRSUZ01’ Star of Milano® arranges numerous slender stems over a support, with cream-edged leaves and flowers at varied heights. Training determines the final outline more than an inherently rigid form.
Form through time
two real statesPink young growthCream leaves and bicoloured flowers
Pink beginningNew tips blush as they climb the lattice.
Cream and flowersMature cover unites variegated foliage and scent.
The drawings connect the first trained stems with mature flowering variegated cover.
What to expect after planting: After planting it first invests in roots and a few leading stems. Spreading those leaders horizontally encourages more side shoots, a denser cream pattern and more flowers at eye level.
History & originCultivar originThe story behind its distinctive character.
Star of Milano® began in Japan as a selection by breeder Yuji Suzuki, carrying the code ‘TRSUZ01’. Plantipp took on its international representation, and the unusual combination of variegated foliage and scented pink flowers brought it to a wider gardening audience. In 2021 it received a bronze distinction at the KVBC Summer Challenge in the Netherlands.
In 2024 it appeared on the shortlist for RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year. Its journey from a Japanese selection to European shows suits its distinctive character: a familiar climber gains cream leaf margins, pink young growth and flowers that continue the same soft colour story.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Climbing by twining its stems
Trachelospermum climbs by wrapping its young, flexible stems around a support. It does not form adhesive pads or aerial roots that attach to a flat wall. Older stems gradually become woody and hold their position while younger tips continue extending. Its vertical framework develops through this succession of twining growth and woody consolidation.
The little pinwheel is one corolla
The five parts resembling little blades are not separate petals all the way to their bases. The corolla forms a tube below and opens into five lobes above, all twisting in the same direction. This arrangement produces the small pinwheel shape visible among the variegated leaves, even when the flower is viewed almost straight on.
Frequently asked questions
Six specific answers about identity, colour, support, mature size and winter behaviour.
01What is the full name of Star of Milano?
The cultivar denomination is Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘TRSUZ01’; Star of Milano® is its selling name.
02What colour are the leaves?
Mature leaves have a green centre and cream margin, while new growth or cold can add pink and reddish tones.
03What colour are the flowers?
They open pink to very pale bicolours, with their characteristic scent and five-lobed pinwheel form.
04Does it need support?
Yes. Stems twine through wire or mesh but do not self-attach to a bare surface.
05How large does it grow?
Allow about 3m in height and 2m in spread when trained, with natural variation from climate, age and pruning.
06Is it frost hardy?
It is conservatively placed around RHS H4; a sheltered position and free winter drainage reduce the risk of damage.
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Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.