How to Kill Clover Without Hurting Jasmine

Feed the lawn grass with a low-phosphorous fertilizer. Clover needs phosphorus to grow well, so adding it to the soil only makes the problem of eradication worse. On the other hand, clover does not do well in soil that has a high nitrogen content. Fertilize the lawn with nitrogen and potassium to strengthen your lawn grasses, making it harder for clover to spread. Jasmine also needs phosphorus, so only apply high-phosphorus fertilizer at the base of the jasmine plant.

Spray any visible clover plants with a selective post-emergent herbicide. If selective herbicides are unavailable or too expensive, you may use a non-selective contact herbicide instead, as long as you are careful to keep it away from the jasmine. Do not use a non-selective systemic herbicide, as that may damage nearby plants such as the jasmine. Herbicides lose their effectiveness once the clover grows to three to four inches.

Spread four inches of organic mulch around the jasmine to prevent clover from germinating. In addition to discouraging the growth of clover, the mulch also helps keep the ground moist around the jasmine. If clover seeds have already germinated, cover them with a thicker layer of four to six inches of mulch. The mulch should be reapplied each year to maintain its thickness.

Remove any established clover with a rake, cultivator or gardener’s claw. Clover roots are near the surface of the soil, so the plants can be dug up easily. If possible, plant the area with more grasses or other desirable plants once the clover is removed, to make it more difficult for clover to return.