How to Divide Asiatic Jasmine

Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), also known as Dwarf Jasmine or Small-Leaf Confederate Jasmine, is a vigorous ground-cover plant. Grown in the warmest climates in the United States, it thrives in sunny or shaded areas. The plants spread quickly, forming low-growing mats of green across the ground.

Things You'll Need

• Sprinkler
• Sod cutter or square-end shovel or spade with sharp edge
• Boots
• Leather gloves
• Wheelbarrow

Instructions

1. Water the Asiatic Jasmine bed to be divided. Set a sprinkler to water the area until the ground beneath is damp to a depth of 2 inches. Allow the plants to absorb the water overnight.

2. Cut a square section of the Asiatic Jasmine from the bed using the sod cutter. Cut through the foliage down through the soil and beneath the roots of the Asiatic Jasmine. Step on the top of the sod cutter spade and use your body weight to push the sod cutter through.

3. Shovel under the root system with the sod cutter, and lift the square section of Asiatic Jasmine out of the bed. Place the section into a wheelbarrow. Keep the wheelbarrow in a shaded area while you work to avoid drying out the squares.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 throughout the established bed of Asiatic Jasmine. Choose evenly spaced areas of the bed from which to dig out divisions. The Asiatic Jasmine will soon fill in these areas with new growth.

5. Keep the divisions watered and protected from the sun until they are replanted in the new location. For best results, plant them right away or within 24 hours.

References

• University of Florida Cooperative Extension: Trachelospermum asiaticum1
• The Jasmine Project: Introduction
• Grounds Maintenance For Gold and Green Industry Professionals: How To: Divide Ornamental Grasses