Carolina Jessamine
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (twining vine)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
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About Carolina Jessamine
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is Georgia's neighboring state's official flower and a native evergreen twining vine found throughout the Southeast, prized for its fragrant, bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that open in late winter through early spring, often the very first significant bloom color of the year in a Piedmont landscape, well before azaleas or dogwood. It climbs quickly on a fence, arbor, or mailbox post, reaching 10-20 feet as a twining vine, and its glossy evergreen foliage provides year-round green cover even outside the bloom season. As a true native, it is well adapted to Georgia's clay soil and tolerates both sun and considerable shade, along with drought once established, needing very little maintenance. It is deer resistant, an important advantage over many flowering vines. All parts of Carolina Jessamine, including the flower nectar, are toxic if ingested, so it should be sited thoughtfully around curious pets and children despite its otherwise carefree, low-maintenance nature.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 10-20 ft (as a climbing vine) |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 3-6 ft spread at base |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Low to Moderate — drought tolerant once established |
| Bloom Season | Late Winter through Early Spring |
| Growth Rate | Fast (twining vine) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | Yes |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Carolina Jessamine at the base of a fence, trellis, arbor, or mailbox post in full sun to part shade; it tolerates Georgia clay well and needs minimal amendment. Water regularly the first season to establish the twining vine; afterward it is drought tolerant. Prune after flowering finishes in spring if size control is needed, since it blooms on the previous year's growth.
Fast Facts
- Georgia Piedmont native evergreen twining vine
- Fragrant bright yellow flowers, late winter through early spring
- Climbs to 10-20 ft on a support structure
- Fast growing, evergreen foliage year-round
- Deer resistant; all parts toxic if ingested
- Drought tolerant once established
Pairs Well With
Carolina Jessamine FAQs
Is Carolina Jessamine poisonous?
Yes, all parts of Carolina Jessamine, including the flowers and nectar, contain toxic alkaloids and can cause serious illness if ingested by pets, children, or adults. Despite this, it remains a popular native flowering vine when sited thoughtfully away from areas where pets or children might sample the flowers.
When does Carolina Jessamine bloom?
Carolina Jessamine blooms in late winter through early spring, often as early as February in the Atlanta metro area, making it one of the very first significant flower displays of the year in a Georgia landscape, well ahead of azaleas and dogwood.