If you’re looking for an attractive, low maintenance ground cover to beautify your front yard, consider planting jasmine. With its lush greenery, sweet scent, and showy blooms, jasmine makes a gorgeous addition to curb appeal. The vining varieties can be trellised on fences and arbors, while the shrubby kinds are perfect as fragrant ground covers or border plants.

Jasmines are available in many varieties to suit different climates and growing conditions Here’s how to plant jasmine as an appealing front yard ground cover

Yellow Star Jasmine

Yellow star jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), also called Confederate jasmine, is a popular semievergreen vine that grows well in zones 7-10. It produces abundant clusters of small, star-shaped yellow flowers in spring and summer that fill the air with a delicate, intoxicating scent.

Space plants 3 feet apart for a dense ground cover effect Yellow star jasmine grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads by underground rhizomes to form a solid mat It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moderately fertile soil with good drainage.

Regular irrigation is needed for best growth and flowering. Prune as needed after bloom periods to manage size and shape. Yellow star jasmine is perfect for cascading over walls, trellises, and arbors.

Asiatic Jasmine

Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) is a fast-growing Asian native that works well as a ground cover from zones 7-11. It reaches 8-12 inches tall and spreads by rhizomes and layering stems to cover expansive areas. The small oval glossy leaves remain evergreen in warmer zones.

From late spring to early summer, asiatic jasmine produces delicate white pinwheel-like flowers that release a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in average to rich well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Once established, it is drought tolerant and low maintenance.

Asiatic jasmine adds year-round greenery and is useful for controlling erosion on slopes. For best coverage, shear lightly in early spring to encourage new growth. Remove spent flowers regularly to promote additional blooming.

Primrose Jasmine

Primrose jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi) is a rugged heat-tolerant jasmine that grows well in zones 7-10. It reaches 1-2 feet tall and spreads wider, making a nice sprawling ground cover. The rounded leaves are evergreen in mild climates.

Showy clusters of tiny bright yellow flowers open in late winter and early spring, giving a welcome pop of color. Primrose jasmine thrives in full sun to partial shade and just about any well-draining soil. Once established it is quite drought resistant.

Good drainage is key, so amend heavy clay soils with organic matter. Space plants 18-24 inches apart for a continuous mat. Shear occasionally to maintain desired shape and thickness. Let spent blooms fall off naturally.

Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) offers brilliant color to gardens in winter and zones 6-9. This medium sized deciduous shrub grows 2-4 feet tall and spreads 6-10 feet wide. Graceful arching branches bear clusters of sunny yellow flowers on bare stems from January to March.

Plant in full sun to partial shade and moist well-draining soil. Amend clay soils with compost. Space plants 4-6 feet apart for dense ground cover effect. Prune old flowered stems right after blooming to encourage new growth.

Let spent blooms drop in spring. The bright green compound leaves emerge as a backdrop for the plentiful flowers. Winter jasmine makes a dramatic flowering ground cover for northern gardens.

Arabian Jasmine

Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is a delightfully scented flowering vine suitable as a ground cover in zones 9-11. Glossy evergreen foliage contrasts beautifully with extremely fragrant white blooms that appear spring through fall.

Give Arabian jasmine full sun to partial shade and fertile moist soil. Space plants 18-24 inches apart for good coverage. Train vines along short trellises or allow them to meander as a spreading ground cover 1-2 feet tall.

Pinch back tips regularly to encourage bushy, compact growth habit rather than vining. Remove faded blooms to promote more flower production.

Primrose Jasmine

Another option for warmer zones is primrose jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi), which thrives in zones 7-10. It matures at 1-2 feet tall and can spread 6 feet or more as a sprawling ground cover. Showy clusters of small sunny yellow flowers open in late winter and early spring above the rounded evergreen leaves.

Primrose jasmine is quite tolerant of heat, humidity, and drought once established. For optimal growth, site in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Good drainage is mandatory. Space plants about 18 inches apart when planting as a ground cover.

Angel Wing Jasmine

Angel wing jasmine (Jasminum nitidum) offers an unusual trailing ground cover for zones 9-11. Horizontal branching stems root along their length as they grow out along the ground up to 15 feet. Dark evergreen leaves have a unique rounded shape.

From spring to fall, angel wing jasmine produces solitary white pinwheel blooms that fill the air with intense fragrance. Give this jasmine partial shade to full shade and rich moist well-draining soil. Space plants 3 feet apart to cover an area. A wonderful alternative to invasive ivy.

Carolina Jasmine

For a vigorous native ground cover, consider Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) which thrives across zones 6-9. This handsome quick growing evergreen vine bears glossy leaves and showy clusters of bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in early spring.

Carolina jasmine grows best in full sun to partial shade and moist fertile soil. Give it a trellis or allow it to scramble along the ground as a lush green 6-12 inch tall ground cover. Space plants 12 inches apart for good coverage.

Prune lightly after flowering to shape and contain spread. The nectar-rich blooms attract pollinators. Once established, this jasmine is quite low maintenance and trouble free.

Madagascar Jasmine

Madagascar jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda) is a trailing evergreen vine that blooms in zones 9-11. Waxy dark green leaves provide the perfect backdrop for highly fragrant waxy white tubular flowers clustered from spring into summer.

Grow in bright filtered light and rich organic soil that retains moisture. Space plants 18-24 inches apart as a ground cover. Train vines onto short trellises or allow them to wander along the ground up to 3 feet tall.

Pinch tips regularly to encourage fullness. Remove spent blooms to promote continuous flowering. Bring indoors as a houseplant in colder zones.

Tips for Growing Jasmine Ground Cover

• Test soil drainage and amend if necessary before planting jasmine. Most varieties need good drainage.

• Space plants 12-24 inches apart depending on mature size for a lush continuous effect over time.

• Provide supplemental irrigation until plants become established. Then water only when top few inches of soil become dry.

• Apply a 2-3 inch mulch layer around plants to help retain soil moisture and reduce weeds. Replenish as needed.

• Fertilize jasmine in early spring and mid summer with a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage growth and flowering.

• Prune lightly after flowering to shape, if needed. Remove spent blooms to promote reblooming.

• Monitor for pests like spider mites, aphids, scale, and mealybugs. Control with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps.

With its intoxicating fragrance, abundant blooms, and versatile growing habits, jasmine creates an outstanding low maintenance ground cover or vine in front yard landscapes. Choose a type suited for your climate and site conditions for a gorgeous floral display.