All Types of Jasmine Vines

Jasmine is the common name for three species of vine: Jasminum, Trachelospermum and Gelsemium. Jasminum species are considered "true" jasmine but are often more like shrubs than vines and are members of the olive family. Trachelospermum species are woody vines that are part of the dogbane family. Gelsemium species may be referred to as either jasmine or jessamine.

Common white jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a semi-vining shrub that will need support if grown as a vine. It grows about 12 to 24 inches a year until it reaches 15 feet. It can be planted in full sun or partial shade. Soil should have moderate fertility and moisture levels. The plant is drought- and pollution-tolerant. Its 1-inch diameter white flowers have an intense fragrance all summer long and will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It may be semi-evergreen or deciduous depending on where it is grown. Common white jasmine is also known as poet’s jasmine or true jasmine. It is hardy in USDA zone 7 through 10.

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is another viney shrub. If supported on a trellis or wall, it can grow up to 15 feet. Flowers are 1-inch wide, yellow and unscented. It is deciduous and hardy in USDA zones 6 through 10. Showy jasmine (J. floridum) has a growth pattern and flowers similar to winter jasmine but retains most of its dark green foliage throughout the year. It is hardy in zones 8 through 10.

Pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is also known as winter jasmine. It has pink buds that transform into fragrant white flowers in the late winter and early spring. It is a fast-growing vine that can reach heights of 20 feet. It can be grown in full sun to partial shade. It is evergreen in frost-free climates and hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10.

Confederate or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a twining vine with a moderate to fast growth rate. It can grow up to 20 feet long when provided with support. It has heavily scented, phlox-like, white flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. Confederate jasmine can be planted in full sun or partial shade in a moist, well-draining soil. It is drought-, heat- and wind-tolerant. Madison is the most cold-hardy cultivar while Pink Showers has light pink flowers. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10.

Yellow star or Asian star Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum) is a slow- to moderate-growing twining vine. Flowers are yellow and fragrant. This evergreen vine can grow up to 12 feet long and should be planted in partial shade but will tolerate deep shade. It is more cold-hardy than Confederate jasmine. It is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10.

Carolina yellow jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is also referred to as Carolina jessamine. This evergreen, twining vine grows up to 20 feet long. Flowers are sweet-scented, yellow and attractive to butterflies. It needs a rich soil with adequate moisture, but it is drought-tolerant. It will grow in full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9.

Swamp jasmine (Gelsemium rankinii) is a twining evergreen vine. It produces yellow flowers in the spring and fall that are not fragrant. It grows rapidly and can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. It should be planted in full sun to partial shade. It is also known as swamp or Rankin's jessamine. It is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9.