An almost-ubiquitous ground cover in much of the American South, Asiatic jasmine is actually not jasmine at all, though it is Asian, with origins in Korea and Japan.
It takes the second half of its name from its fragrant flowers, which – under ideal conditions – perfume the air in springtime.
This fast-growing evergreen vine is appreciated for its ability to quickly cover a patch of land with a thick carpet of twining vines, even in shady areas. It’s also heralded for its tolerance of both heat and cold.
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This plant is referred to both as “Asian jasmine” and “Asiatic jasmine.” And in Florida, they call it “minima jasmine.” You may also see it called “dwarf jasmine.” Incidentally, Florida friends, this plant is salt tolerant.
Are you thinking this plant might be the solution to your bare-earth problems? Read on to learn more!
Asiatic jasmine vine also known as Asian jasmine or Trachelospermum asiaticum, is a gorgeous flowering vine that can be grown as a ground cover or trained to climb trellises fences, and arbors. With its glossy evergreen foliage and wonderfully fragrant summertime blooms, this plant makes a fantastic addition to gardens in USDA growing zones 7-11.
However in order to help your asiatic jasmine vine thrive, you need to plant it in the proper soil. Soil preparation is one of the most important steps when adding any new plant to your landscape. Taking the time to amend and enrich the soil before planting will get your vine off to a strong start and support healthy growth for years to come.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about choosing the ideal soil for asiatic jasmine vines. We’ll cover soil drainage, pH, texture, and amendments so you can give your vines the nurturing foundation they require.
Soil Drainage Is Crucial
One of the most important factors to consider when preparing soil for asiatic jasmine vines is drainage. These vines need soil that drains well and does not become waterlogged. Excess moisture around the roots can lead to fungus, rot and root diseases.
To ensure proper drainage, choose a planting site that naturally drains water away from the base of the plant. Avoid low-lying areas of your yard where water tends to pool after rains. You can also create a raised planting bed or mound to promote drainage.
It’s also critical to choose a soil that has a loose, crumbly texture and includes amendments like sand, compost, or peat moss. This creates air pockets for better water flow through the soil. Heavy clay soils should be avoided, as they retain too much water.
Test and Adjust the Soil pH
Asiatic jasmine vines prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Most average garden soils fall in the pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. If you’re unsure of your yard’s pH, it’s easy to test it with an inexpensive soil testing kit.
If the pH needs adjusting, you can add sulfur to lower pH or lime to raise pH. Thoroughly mix amendments into the soil several weeks before planting your vines. Proper pH helps vines access nutrients from the soil.
Incorporate Plenty of Organic Matter
Organic matter improves soil drainage while also adding beneficial nutrients. To prepare the perfect soil for asiatic jasmine vines, mix in several inches of compost, rotted manure, peat moss, shredded leaves, or other organic materials.
This not only creates a loose, crumbly soil texture but also provides an abundance of nutrients to feed your vines. Well-rotted compost is an excellent choice, as it supplies a balance of macronutrients and micronutrients.
Choose a Loamy Soil Texture
Asiatic jasmine isn’t too picky about soil type, as long as the drainage is good. However, these vines thrive in loamy soils that have a blend of particle sizes. The ideal loam contains a mix of sand, silt, and clay along with plentiful organic matter.
Sandy loams drain well while providing moisture retention. Silt loams have excellent fertility. And clay loams provide anchoring for roots. The blended texture of loam offers the perfect balance.
A Simple Soil Recipe for Asiatic Jasmine Vines
An easy homemade soil recipe for asiatic jasmine vines includes:
- 50% garden soil or topsoil
- 30% compost, peat moss, rotted manure, or other organic material
- 20% sand, perlite, or small pea gravel to improve drainage
Thoroughly mix the ingredients together in a wheelbarrow or directly in the planting bed. Dig down at least 8-12 inches to aerate the soil and make room for root development. Then fill in with your amended soil mix.
Maintaining Soil Health Over Time
Preparing the ideal soil before planting is crucial, but don’t stop there. Maintaining soil health over time ensures your asiatic jasmine vines continue thriving. Here are some tips:
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Mulch annually with 2-3 inches of organic material like shredded bark or leaves. This retains moisture, insulates roots, and replenishes nutrients as it decomposes.
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Fertilize vines in early spring with a balanced 10-10-10 or bloom-boosting formula. This provides nutrients for the growing season.
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Avoid over-fertilizing, as excess nitrogen can damage vines.
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Test soil pH every 2-3 years and adjust as needed to keep vines in their happy range of 5.5-7.0.
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Loosen and aerate compacted soil around vines at least once a year with a hand cultivator.
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Watch for signs of diseased or damaged roots and promptly remove affected vines.
With the right soil and ongoing care, your asiatic jasmine vines will flourish for many years of beauty and enjoyment! Let us know if you have any other tips for choosing the perfect soil.
Managing Pests and Disease
The only disease problem you may see with Asian jasmine is leaf spot caused by the fungus Cercospora, which produces individual tan or light brown spots with red-purple borders.
If you have a severe infection, which is rare, you can treat your plants with a fungicide. Otherwise, don’t worry about it, because rarely is fungus a severe problem for Asiatic jasmine.
Asian jasmine is most often used as a ground cover, though some of the cultivars that are available make attractive additions to hanging planters.
What Is Asiatic Jasmine?
The small, dark green leaves of this deer-resistant plant are glossy and grow from red-brown stems that scramble along the ground and up trees, fences, and possibly your leg if you stand there long enough…
Its five-petaled flowers are small, white, and delicate. If the weather is too hot, however, they won’t make an appearance.
In Austin, we very rarely see a bloom on our Asian jasmine.
T. asiaticum is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7b-10. You could probably plant it in cooler zones but winter would kill it, and I can’t imagine why you’d plant a ground cover that dies in winter… But hey, you do you!
Incidentally, you may read advice on the internet where some native-plant purists spurn this vine because of its tendency to take over the garden.
I understand where they’re coming from, but if you’re looking to quickly cover a wide swath, especially in a shady area, Asian jasmine is really unbeatable.
While T. asiaticum is an excellent ground cover, it does not bear foot traffic well.
If you’ve got an empty area that you’re looking to fill with something fragrant that can stand up to a little stomping, consider these culinary herbs and flowering options instead.
Also, we want to give you a heads up about another plant that is sometimes confused with Asian jasmine.
T. jasminoides, also known as star or confederate jasmine, looks similar to T. asiaticum. But it’s definitely more of a climbing vine, and it’s more likely to flower profusely under a variety of conditions.
The genus from which Asiatic jasmine borrowed its name, Jasminum, includes about 200 shrubs and vines in the olive (Oleaceae) family that are native to Eurasia and Oceania. We list some of the most popular varieties here.
Common jasmine, Jasminum officinale, is native to Iran and is beloved for its attractive and fragrant flowers.
T. asiaticum was first described in Western literature by German botanists Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1846, following von Siebold’s visit to Japan in 1823-1829.
The pair labeled the plant Malouetia asiatica. Japanese botanist Takenoshin Nakai later reclassified the species according to modern taxonomic systems.
Because Asian jasmine is a ground cover, you’ll likely want a lot of it. It does not grow from seed, but read on to learn other methods of propagation.
Start by taking a 6-inch cutting from the tip of a vine shoot. Using a clean, sharp implement, cut just below a leaf.
Choose a small pot with good drainage and fill it with damp sand. Insert a pencil in the center of the sand to create a hole, and then remove it.
Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, and dip the end into a rooting medium, such as a powdered rooting hormone.
Place the cutting into the hole in the sand and water well. Cover the container with a plastic bag to retain moisture, and water every day. Place it in a windowsill that gets indirect light, or outside in an area that is largely shaded.
Alternatively, after dipping it in rooting hormone, you can place your cutting into a glass of water.
After roots develop, in about a month, transplant to small containers filled with potting soil. Peat pots are terrific because you can transplant the whole thing to the ground when the rooted cuttings are ready, which will be in another 3-4 weeks.
Asian Jasmine – Archer Services
FAQ
What is the best soil for Asiatic jasmine?
What is the best soil mix for jasmine?
What is the difference between jasmine and Asiatic jasmine?
How do you repot a climbing jasmine plant?
Does Asiatic jasmine grow in acidic soil?
Asiatic Jasmine can adjust to various soil pH levels, but it generally excels in soils that are slightly acidic to neutral, falling within a pH range of approximately 6.0 to 7.0. Most garden soils fall within this range, but it’s a good idea to test your soil’s pH and make any necessary adjustments to create an optimal growing environment.
What is a good soil pH for Asian Jasmine?
Asian Jasmine grows best in an acid to slightly alkaline soil ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark.
Can Asiatic jasmine grow in shade?
Asiatic jasmine can be grown in full sun and partial shade. In southern or western exposures with hot midday or afternoon sun, it does best in partial shade. This plant is not finicky about soil conditions and can grow in a wide range of soils as long as there is good drainage.
Is Asiatic jasmine a good plant?
It is also low-maintenance and can survive in a wide range of soil conditions, making it suitable for a variety of landscapes from full sun to partial shade. While Asiatic Jasmine is a hardy plant that requires little attention, it still needs regular care to stay healthy and look its best.