2 named cultivars

groundcover

Asiatic Jasmine

The Story

Plant Bio

Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asiatic jasmine, is a woody evergreen twiner from China, Japan and Korea, usually grown flat as a groundcover a foot or two deep that runs ten to twelve feet across. Small glossy dark green oval leaves, bronze when new, cover wiry twining stems, and small creamy star-shaped flowers appear in early summer on plants left unclipped.

It is the standard tough groundcover across the South, taking drought, shade, poor soil and hard shearing, and it rarely flowers when kept mown. That same vigour lets it escape into woodland in the Southeast, so keep it clipped at the edges and away from natural areas. The milky sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when cutting it back.

Uses & Benefits:

A dense glossy evergreen carpet, with bronze new growth and variegated forms available.

One of the toughest groundcovers there is for dry shade, banks and areas where grass fails.

Songbirds shelter in the dense mat, though it can displace native ground flora where it escapes.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Groundcover

Height

7 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

China, Japan and Korea

Toxicity

Milky sap can irritate skin

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in sun or shade in any reasonably drained soil.
Space plants two to three feet apart to knit together.
Water through the first year while it establishes.
Shear or mow the mat annually to keep it flat.
Cut the edges back hard to stop it creeping outward.
Wear gloves; the milky sap irritates skin.

Pro Tip

Mow the whole mat on a high blade setting in late winter — it regrows dense and flat, which no amount of hand-clipping matches.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Shear or mow the mat each late winter ✂️
Clip the edges to contain it 🚧
Wear gloves when cutting it back 🧤
Use it on dry, shaded banks 🌑

Don't

Let it run into woodland ❌
Plant it where it cannot be edged ❌
Handle cut stems bare-handed ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Edge
Mow

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Hard-wearing groundcover on banks and slopesUnder trees where grass will not growTrained on a wall or trellis as a twiner

Companion Plants

LiriopeAutumn Fern Camellia Mahonia Cast Iron Plant

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Asiatic Jasmine questions

What zones can Asiatic Jasmine grow in?

Asiatic Jasmine is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Asiatic Jasmine deer resistant?

Yes — Asiatic Jasmine is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Asiatic Jasmine bloom?

Asiatic Jasmine typically blooms in early summer through mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Asiatic Jasmine need full sun?

Asiatic Jasmine does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Asiatic Jasmine drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Asiatic Jasmine handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.