Gelsemium sempervirens

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Common Name: Yellow Jessamine, Carolina Jessamine, Everlasting Trumpetflower, Yellow Jessamine

Full to part sun; medium to moderately dry moisture level; prefers humus-rich soil but is quite adaptable to sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam and clay soils; pH adaptable

3-20 feet height depending on support; blooms in April; bright yellow, tubular, fragrant flowers; fruit capsules contain winged seeds.

Growth Rate:  Medium to fast

Maintenance:  Tough and adaptable. No serious disease or insect problems.  Prune in early spring to maintain shape.  Fertilize 2-3 times during the growing season with rose food.

Propagation:  Seed germination code ?. Easy from cuttings or seed.

Native Region:  Only in 4 counties – Hamilton, Marion, Bledsoe and Rhea

Designated a “Special Concern” species in Tennessee.  Twining, semi-evergreen, showy vine with thin, wiry stems.  Lustrous dark green foliage that develops a slight yellow or purple cast in winter.  Will climb trees, scramble over fences or structures, or can use as a groundcover by just letting the vine trail over the ground or a wall.  Best flowering occurs in full sun but will grow and flower in shade.  Leaves, flowers and roots are poisonous.  Cultivars available.  Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Yellow Jessamine, Carolina Jessamine, Everlasting Trumpetflower, Yellow Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens 2
Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/
Yellow Jessamine, Carolina Jessamine, Everlasting Trumpetflower, Yellow Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens
Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/
Yellow Jessamine, Carolina Jessamine, Everlasting Trumpetflower, Yellow Jessamine - Gelsemium sempervirens 3
Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/