Among the more than 200 varieties of jasmines (Jasminum spp.), many are twining vines, while others are shrub-like. Although jasmines are known for their fragrance, not all jasmines are fragrant. The foliage of jasmines is evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous, depending on the climate. All jasmines grow well in full sun or part shade. "Sun" is usually defined as six or more hours of direct sunlight per day and "part shade" refers to two to four hours of sun per day. Your climate, your purpose and the characteristics of your planting site will determine how much sun your jasmines need.
Twining jasmine vines, such as poet's or common jasmine, (Jasminum officinale) and evergreen jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) will thrive in sunny or part shade locations, but flower production will be greater in sunny areas. Poet's jasmine is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. It is deciduous in colder regions and semi-evergreen in warmer areas. Poet's jasmine climbs to 10 or 20 feet and is prized for its fragrant white flowers. Evergreen or pink jasmine, grows well in USDA zones 8 through 11, climbing quickly 20 feet on a trellis, arbor or fence to provide a good screen. Grow these climbing jasmines in part shade if your primary purpose is to block unsightly views.
Some jasmines, such as winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) and Italian jasmine (Jasminum humile), have a shrublike habit. You can grow them as standalone shrubs or as vines. These jasmines don't hold on to a support on their own and their long shoots need to be trained and tied to a trellis or arbor if used as vines. Winter jasmine has a weeping or arching form when grown as a shrub. It is a deciduous plant, growing 6 to 10 feet tall in USDA zones 6 through 9. Winter jasmine likes full sun in colder regions of the country. Italian jasmine is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11 and grows to about 15 feet. The Italian jasmine variety "Revolution" blooms with large, fragrant, yellow flowers and is evergreen in mild winters. It thrives in part shade.
Dwarf jasmine (Jasminum parkeri) grows only up to 12 or 18 inches and makes a useful rock garden plant. It forms a compact rounded shrub that grows well in USDA zones 7 through 10. The foliage is evergreen and flowers are bright yellow. Although dwarf jasmine will grow in part shade, it prefers full sun. Protect dwarf jasmine from cold winds in winter.
Ground Cover Jasmines
Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) and angelwing jasmine (Jasminum nitidum) are two jasmines that make good ground covers, especially on hillsides. Angelwing's shiny green foliage is evergreen in warmer regions and semi-evergreen in colder areas. This jasmine has showy, fragrant, white flowers. Angelwing jasmine prefers full sun and is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11. Other popular ground cover jasmines, which are not true jasmines, are evergreen, yellow-flowering Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), Asian jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) and star or confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). Carolina jessamine and star jasmine grow well in sun to part shade, while Asian jasmine is the preferred ground cover jasmine for planting under trees or on the north side of buildings. Although Asian jasmine is used primarily as a ground cover for shade, it also grows well in sun and part shade.
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