Hi Dan,

I gave my jasmine a good trim about two weeks ago. It finally started to grow back yesterday although there are now large bald spots that show zero new growth. Do you think the trim revealed an underlying disease? If so, what should I do? I probably trimmed 2-2 1/2 inches. All the jasmine at the bottom of the photo is new growth.

Thank you for all your help over the years. I am a student of your weekly column in Inside Out.

- Paulette H.

Hardly anything bothers Asian jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) - a tough, reliable ground cover. However, excessively rainy weather or with generous irrigation, a disease called aerial blight caused by the Rhizoctonia fungus can be destructive.

Ferti-lome Halt Systemic Fungicide and other brands with thiophanate-methyl as the active ingredient may provide some relief by slowing or reducing additional damage. Make two or three applications following label directions.

Completely remove all of the dead stems and leaves if possible. The healthy vines generally grow in to fill the damaged area in a reasonable amount of time.

As mentioned, heavy rainfall and irrigation will encourage this disease. Do not irrigate; there is no need. Well-established Asian jasmine never needs irrigation. Hopefully, drier weather will help – should it ever stop raining.

Dan Gill
Consumer Horticulture Specialist