...Jenny's Garden Home...

Glossy dark green foliage of Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina Jessamine or Yellow Jessamine or Trumpet Flower

Prolic blossoms of  Gelsemium sempervirens 'Margarita' or Carolina Jessamine

Family:  Gelsemiaceae
Origin:  South-eastern North America
Light:  Sun-part shade
Height:  20'+ 
Spacing:  6-8'  
Blooms:  Fragrant, 5-lobed, bright yellow, trumpet-shaped, mid-Spring
Foliage:  Evergreen, 3" long, glossy dark green, leathery 
Soil:  Well-drained, moist, acidic, alkaline, neutral 
Water:  Regular to generous
Propagation:  Seeds, rootball division
Caution:  Have several therapeutic usages.  All parts are toxic.  Sap may cause skin irritation
Uses:  Trellis, arbor, porch, ground cover, hanging basket, container
Comments:  Gelsemium semperiverns or Carolina Jessamine or Yellow Jessamine or Trumpet Flower is an evergreen perennial flowering vine with a rapid growth rate.  It is a native of Southeastern United States.  In mid-Spring, it sets the garden aglow with its prolific bell-shaped, bright  yellow blossoms.   Gelsemium semperiverns is easily propagated from seeds or rootball division.  It performs well in well-drained, acidic, neutral or alkaline soil, in a sun to part shade environment.  Carolina Jessamine is hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit.  Mulch plant to preserve moisture and to protect from frost.  Yellow Jessamine makes an attractive groundcover or a hanging basket plant.  Allow it to climb up a trellis or arbor to display their gorgeous blossoms.   Trumpet Flower adds a color and beauty to the landscape.  It is an easy plant and is not demanding.
Interestingly, Gelsemium semperiverns is the State flower of South Carolina
USDA Hardiness Zones :  7-9