Gelsemium sempervirens

Common Names

Carolina Jessamine, Yellow Jessamine, Carolina Yellow Jessamine, Evening Trumpetflower, Carolina Jasmine, False Jasmine, False Jessamine

Summary

Gelsemium sempervirens is an evergreen twining vine with glossy leaves and fragrant yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from late winter to spring. When trained on fences, arbors, or walls, it reaches about 10–20 feet in height and 20–30 feet in spread, and can also form a ground cover where unsupported. Native to the southeastern United States and parts of Central America, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing year‑round structure in the landscape.

All parts are poisonous if ingested, and the sap can irritate skin; gloves are advised when pruning. Propagation is by seed or hardwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well‑drained, humus‑rich soil, with regular watering during establishment and drought tolerance once established. It is hardy in USDA zones 7–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-20 feet

Spread

36-72 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7–10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun. Tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, organically rich, well-drained soils

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Neutral soil is ideal.

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring, with occasional blooms in late winter and fall; sometimes extends into early summer.

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators