A Blanket of Green to Cover the Ground

Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) is a tough and adaptable evergreen groundcover that tolerates heat, sun, shade and drought while being insect-, disease- and deer-resistant -- a true bulletproof plant! Asiatic Jasmine is not a true jasmine (although its common name hints otherwise), and although it doesn't typically produce flowers, occasionally you may see tiny star-shaped blossoms. It forms a dense carpet of leaves on 6-foot-long stems that fills in turfgrass-challenged areas and requires very little upkeep.

A Workhorse in the Garden
Asiatic Jasmine solves many garden problems, including:

1. Turfgrass alternative. No matter how hard you try, there are areas in your yard where you simply can't grow grass. Whether it's planted under trees or in poor soil, Asiatic Jasmine offers an option to growing turfgrass. As an added bonus, it's more drought-tolerant than turfgrasses, so you won't have to water it as often.

2. Sun or shade. Thriving in sun or shade, Asiatic Jasmine also grows in transition areas -- places where open, sunny areas meet the shady ground under trees -- without looking ragged.

3. Pest-resistant. "Pests" include insects, diseases and even four-legged animals, such as deer. Asiatic Jasmine is not favored by any of these, which means you won't have to spray chemicals to keep these pesky creatures away.

Spreading and Cascading Growth Habit
Reduce your turfgrass areas by planting Asiatic Jasmine as a groundcover, even in shady spots. Plant Asiatic Jasmine on banks or slopes where it controls erosion by holding the soil in place. If you have a terraced garden, use Asiatic Jasmine as a cascading plant that spills over each terrace.

A No-Fuss Plant
Mature Asiatic Jasmine plants thrive on near-neglect, but it's important to care for young plants to get them off to a good start.

• Sun. It grows in sun or shade, but in hot climates it prospers in areas that are shaded from the afternoon sun.

• Soil. It's not picky about the type of soil, but it responds best if the soil pH doesn't exceed 8.0

• Water. Water new plants often to keep the newly developing root systems hydrated. After plants are established, natural rainfall should be sufficient. If you plant Asiatic Jasmine under trees with dense canopies, make sure enough rain reaches your plants.

• Fertilizer. Go easy on the fertilizer; too much can steer this already-vigorous plant toward becoming aggressive.

• Pruning. If you mow over your plants in late winter '– using the highest mower setting of 3 to 4 inches '– you'll keep plants neat and tidy. The green leaves that are cut will quickly be replaced by new growth.