I've learned that interpretation of a floral scent is variable from person to person. With Confederate jasmine, which has an aroma that is VERY strong, the reactions tend to be love it OR hate it without much in between. ;-) It's way too strong for me to tolerate up close, but I don't mind it from several hundred feet away. I've seen people cover their noses when they walk by a mass of it in full bloom. But a small plant would be just about right. You can maintain it in a smaller container by annual root pruning, by the way. I've seen it used as a bonsai specimen.

Usually with Jasmine you do need to transfer often anyway. With the vine form, not sure? Anyway a point will come where it is root bound, and that will happen before the soil breaks down. The soil should last 2-3 years. Change soil when you repot. After a while you may not have enough room for a bigger pot, and instead can trim the roots down, repot with new soil. You will need to fertilize after 6 months. I prefer to add my own micronutrients with say a kelp powder or liquid, or azomite or both.. I have found it more effective to use various products to ensure proper nutrition. These additives never really hurt anything if not needed. They can be added to water. All potting soils these days are soilless mixes. Even the 5-1-1 mix is going to breakdown with time. Using a more mineral soil that will not breakdown is an option, but I prefer to use the soilless mixes and just maintain them with fresh soil at repotting. You might want to try Happy Frog or Fafard. I found these potting mixes far superior to Miracle Grow. As far as more leaves, that may come with time. If not you may try adding another plant, or a different jasmine. Many fragrant types exist that might work better.

@sit_sat, would love to hear an answer to your question! I live in SoCal close to the coast and in a similar situation. A 50 ft long cinder block wall that is 6' high with 2' lattice on top.. Would like to plant 5 or 15 gallon Star Jasmine along the full 50' of length and see it fill the entire height & width! Not sure how long to expect until that happens based on either the 5 or 15 gallon plants? Like you, I would like to hear some pro advice on soil additives and watering schedule (can increase via sprinklers if it will help). My plants would be on North face of the wall so they would be shaded until they got up past the 6' cinder block fence. I also realize I will have to either string wire or place a trellis on the cinder block so they can cling to something. Any helpful advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Here is a link that might be useful: Star Jasmine for sale on wholesale site ($1k min)

Mara, did you read above that the star jasmines sold today in nurseries are likely to be the Madison variety even if not labeled as such? It seems when a superior cultivar is introduced and it's not possible to tell the difference by looks alone that it will be propagated rather than the old variety and if not named no royalties have to be paid. I was told that by someone in the nursery business when I was searching for Madison without success. I tend to believe it seeing how my neighbor James' plants were more hardy than what I had. Did the above ground stems on yours split? Keep us posted on whether they return and I will do the same.