// SPECIES PROFILE · VINE · NATIVE

Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a vine in the Gelsemiaceae family. Native range includes AR — verified against the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center native distribution database. Hardy in zones 7a–9a. Mature size 8'–20'. Blooms Mar–May.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Gelsemiaceae
Group: vine
Native range: Native to 11 U.S. states, including AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS…
USDA hardiness: Zones 7a–9a
Mature size: 8'–20'
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Bloom: Mar–May
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: evergreen vine · fragrant yellow trumpets · toxic

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) — *Gelsemium sempervirens* — Carolina Jessamine. Photo by KENPEI via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: evergreen vine · fragrant yellow trumpets · toxic. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, carolina jessamine pairs naturally with: Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), Maypop / Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Summer Grape (Vitis aestivalis), Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).