Asiatic jasmine is not a true jasmine, but it is a popular, fast spreading, hardy groundcover in USDA zones 7b through 10. With fragrant flowers, low maintenance requirements, and dense trailing foliage, Asiatic jasmine is an excellent addition to any warm weather garden. Keep reading to learn more about Asiatic jasmine care and how to grow Asiatic jasmine as a groundcover and a trailing vine.
What is Asian Jasmine?
Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) is not actually related to jasmine plants, but it does produce white to yellow, fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are similar to jasmine. It is native to Japan and Korea and is hardy in USDA zones 7b through 10, where it grows as an evergreen groundcover.
If it is allowed to grow continuously through the winter, it will form a dense leafy groundcover within two years. If grown as a groundcover, it will reach 6 to 18 inches (15-46 cm.) in height and 3 feet (91 cm.) in spread. Its leaves are dark green, small, and glossy. In the summer, it produces small, delicate, and very fragrant flowers, though in hotter climates flowers may be scarce.
How to Grow Asiatic Jasmine
Asiatic jasmine care is very minimal. The plants do best in moist and fertile soil, but they can handle much harsher conditions. They are tough and moderately drought and salt tolerant.
The plants prefer full sun and will grow in most types of soil. They perform best when they are somewhat neglected.
Occasional pruning is sometimes necessary to keep growth in check. The plants won’t climb, so growing Asian jasmine vines as groundcover or trailing vines is the most effective. They do very well in containers or window boxes, where they are allowed to hang down over the edges of balconies and railings.
