Overview

Asiatic jasmine ground cover (Trachelospermum asiaticum) grows in a thick shallow-rooted mat. It is a good ground cover for dense shade and lives in moist soil as well as sunny, dry slopes. It is hardy in USDA horticultural zones 7-11, where it is evergreen or semi-evergreen. Asian jasmine can be kept neat by cutting back in late winter with a lawnmower at the highest setting to three inches from the ground. Occasionally, Asiatic jasmine may become invasive and need to be removed. Thoroughly water the area where the jasmine is growing the day before removal.

Step 1

Put on a pair of garden gloves and separate the area where the Asiatic jasmine is planted into several sections by mentally marking them off. You do not need to be exact. Depending on how large the area is, a three foot by three foot section is easy to work with to start. Keep in mind that Asiatic jasmine is very shallow rooted and easy to remove once the roots are loosened.

Step 2

Push the shovel into the ground around the first section. Work the shovel back and forth as you cut the roots and plants away from the rest of the planting. Loosen the first section from the ground by pushing the shovel just under the section you are removing just enough to loosen the roots but not cut them. The roots need to be intact so the plant cannot reestablish itself after it is pulled.

Step 3

Pull the first section of Asiatic jasmine from the ground by grabbing it by the plant tops and pulling it towards you. Shake the excess dirt from the ground cover then dispose of the plant. Repeat this procedure on all sections until the jasmine has been completely removed.

Step 4

Rake the bare area with a dirt rake and pick out any roots or pieces of Asiatic jasmine ground cover that are left in the soil. Smooth the soil with a leaf rake to remove any other pieces. Remove any new sprouts by hand that may come up later in the season.