Types of Jasmine Plants

Jasmine is a genus with more than 200 different vines and shrubs that are known for their fragrant blooms and striking foliage. Jasmine vines are ideal climbing over a garden trellis or fence for a burst of color and texture. These hardy plants prefer a spot in the garden that receives full sun to partial shade and nutrient-rich, well-drained soils. The flowers on jasmine are often star-shaped to create an attractive vine or shrub along the landscape.

Cape Jasmine

Also called gardenia, cape jasmine is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Its dense, rounded shape has leathery, dark green leaves that range from 2 to 4 inches long. Beginning in the summer, the fragrant, white waxy flowers emerge and grow up to 3 inches wide. This hardy evergreen is drought tolerant and prefers full to partial shade. Cape jasmine also requires moist, well-drained soils that are nutrient-laden and acidic. The USDA hardiness zone is 7b to 10.

Carolina Jasmine

Carolina jasmine is a moderate to rapidly growing evergreen vine. Its fine-to-medium texture grows up to 20 feet in height and is ideal creeping over a pergola for a shaded retreat. The fragrant, yellow flowers emerge every spring for a bright burst of color in the landscape. Carolina jasmine has deep green foliage that bronzes in the winter. This hardy plant is drought and wind tolerant. The USDA hardiness zone is 7 to 9.

Showy Jasmine

Showy jasmine is a semi-evergreen to evergreen plant that prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Its mass of narrow, arching stems is dark green in color with a slow-to-moderate growth rate. Showy jasmine grows a maximum of 5 feet high and 4 feet wide and has fine texture. The tiny yellow flowers bloom in early spring to light up the bush. This versatile jasmine is also drought tolerant and can withstand a wide range of soils. The USDA hardiness zone is 8 to 10.

Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine is a deciduous shrub with a broad, arching form and fine stems. The leaves on the winter jasmine are bright green in color. The light yellow flowers emerge in winter to early spring and grow up to 2 inches long. Winter jasmine’s mounding form grows up to 4 feet in height and 7 feet wide. Its trailing branches are drought tolerant and are able to grow back after a severe pruning, making the winter jasmine a hardy shrub to grow. Winter jasmine prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It can tolerate a range of soils, including sandy and clay soils. The USDA hardiness zone is 6 to 10.