Let’s start this by saying…I am not an experienced gardener. Gardening actually intimidates me. I don’t know about planting zones, what grows where, or what thrives in certain climates. Honestly, I had to Google my planting zone just to write this post.

And maybe that’s exactly why I’m such a BIG fan of Star Jasmine. It’s easy, low maintenance, and when it blooms…it smells so good!

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Welcome to our backyard, well…part of it. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite DIY projects, this Star Jasmine trellis wall.

If you’re looking for backyard wall decor that’s simple, budget friendly, and actually makes a big impact, this is such a good option. Star Jasmine is an evergreen climbing vine that’s really easy to care for and instantly makes a space feel more elevated and cozy. Think of this as wall decor for your backyard, but alive.

I’ll walk you through everything: How we planned it, installed the trellis wall, and how I take care of the jasmine, so you can recreate this look in your own space.

For reference, our planting zone is 10a/9b (yes, I Googled that too).

Star Jasmine is an evergreen woody vine that’s really versatile. You can grow it vertically on a trellis wall, train it over a pergola, prune it into a shrub, or even use it as ground cover. It has this natural twining growth, so you can train it to climb structures like trellises and arbors (it won’t stick to walls on its own, though, you have to guide it a bit).

And the best part? This whole project was super affordable, beginner-friendly, and it just keeps getting better over time as the jasmine fills in.

What You’ll Need:

1 box of stucco screws. This is the exact one I used, it comes with a masonry dill bit. Or the type of screws appropriate for the wall material you have.
A masonry drill bit (appropriate size for the screws, as indicated on the box)
An impact driver (works best)
Heavy Duty Green garden wire

You can use different screws or wall anchors depending on your type of siding.

Step-by-Step Process:

Plan the pattern. I used tape to mark the spots where I wanted to add the screws, spacing them approximately 24” inches. Ideally you want to space them out 24” or more because once the plant grows and gets full it will cover most of the spacing.
Pre-drille holes for the stucco screws using a masonry drill bit and an impact driver. You can use a regular driver, but it might take longer.
Install the stucco screws, leaving just enough of the head out to go around them with the garden wire. I used green garden wire to create the diamond-shaped pattern, going around each screw a few times to secure the wire before continuing to the next screw.

4. Train my Jasmine to grow around the garden wire. Before doing this project, I had a metal trellis from the garden center, which I used to make the Jasmine grow lengthwise. So when I installed this trellis, I already had some vines to go around the wire.

Here’s how it looked less than a month after installing the trellis wall. Since it was the beginning of spring, the growing season, I just had to check from time to time and make sure the new growth was going around the garden wire and intertwining.

Let’s Take a Look at This Wall Over The Next Three Years:

One of the biggest things I learned is that you need to trim it at the beginning of spring, before it starts blooming to have the most beautiful blooms.

A Couple of Months After Installing It:

Year One:

This was in the summer 2022. We didn’t get as many blooms this year.

Year Two:

Year Three:

Star Jasmine Around Our Home.

We have Star Jasmine planted in the ground all around our backyard, and it’s honestly one of the easiest plants to take care of. It was planted by the previous owner, so it was already well established when we moved in, which makes a big difference.

For our Star Jasmine care routine, we water it every other week during spring, about once a week during the hot summer days, and not at all during fall and winter. Once it’s established, it’s very low maintenance.

At the beginning of spring, I like to trim it to shape it and encourage new growth, and every year it blooms so beautifully and smells amazing. If you’re looking for a climbing jasmine that’s both pretty and fragrant, this one is so worth it.

I also have Star Jasmine in a pot in another area of the backyard, and it’s a totally different story. It grows slower and needs to be watered more often, so there’s definitely a difference between jasmine in pots vs in-ground.

When we installed our first trellis wall with Star Jasmine, I loved how it turned out and wanted to do the same on the opposite side. At first, I tried growing jasmine in a pot to climb that wall, but it didn’t make it.

The next year, I tried something different and started training the jasmine we already had in the ground to grow across and climb over the second trellis wall, and that actually worked.

Trying to grow the star jasmine from a pot.

Succesfully growing the jasmine wall from the ground

Last summer, my dad and husband built this pergola, and I’ve been slowly training the Star Jasmine to climb around it. It’s definitely a process. If you’ve ever worked with climbing vines on a pergola, you know it takes time, pruning, and a lot of patience.

It’ll probably take a few more years to fully get the look I want, but that’s part of it. With jasmine…patience is key.

I love how the plant looks here, overflowing.

This picture is not recent. The Star Jasmine has barely grown in two years. It usually loses almost all its leaves because the afternoon sun can get intense on this side of our backyard. I need to find a way to help it grow, but unfortunately, we have pool equipment on that side, and there are water and electrical lines underground where the two planters are located.

Let’s Answer Some of Your FAQ:

Q: Do you water it daily or do you have drip irrigation?

A: I don’t water it daily since these plants are well established. This is a hardy plant, and from my experience with our hot and dry summers, it is drought tolerant. I water it every other week or less, depending on the weather. I don’t water it in fall/winter or early spring. However, for the Jasmine we have in planters, I need to water it once a week. I am planning on installing a drip irrigation system so I don’t forget, similar to the one I have for our porch planter.

Q: Would this be safe to do on wood siding?

A: I think it may need more monitoring and pruning with this type of trellis wall. You want to make sure it only grows on the wire. Like all vines, it will find a way to get into cracks if you let it.

Q: What does it look like in the colder season? Do you just leave it as is or do you cut it back?

A: Since it is an evergreen, it stays green in the colder season. The green turns slightly darker, but it doesn't lose foliage, and if it does, it’s minimal. I don’t have to cut it back, but I might need to prune it from time to time because it continues to grow year-round, just more slowly.

Q: How much sun does the Jasmine get?

A: We have our Jasmine in different areas of our home. The main wall with the trellis faces east, so it gets morning sun. We also have it in the front of the house by the garage with the pergola, which gets harsh afternoon sun, but even then, it is doing great. Ideally, you want the Star Jasmine to have at least two hours of sunlight a day.

Q: Have you noticed any damage to the exterior?

A: Not on the walls, but if I let it grow too much, it can get into the eaves, and if I don’t prune it, it might cause damage over time.

Creating a trellis wall for our Star Jasmine has been a rewarding and transformative project. This simple and budget-friendly DIY not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of our backyard but also provides a lush, green backdrop that gets better with time. By following these easy steps and tips, you can achieve a similar look in your own garden, no matter your experience level. Whether you’re working with established plants or starting fresh, this project offers a beautiful and practical solution to elevate your outdoor space.

Happy gardening!