CAROLINA JESSAMINE
Carolina Jessamine’s trumpet-shaped flowers.
By LYNN ARTZ and SANDY TEDDER
The bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers of Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) bring welcome color to the leafless woods in late winter. This twining, evergreen vine will climb high into trees, cover fences, or form a mound of tangled stems on the ground. Its sweetly scented flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. Carolina jessamine is best grown in moist, humus-rich soil in full sun. While a lovely vine to train on arbors and trellises, all parts of the plant are highly poisonous if swallowed by children, pets, or livestock. The plant is deer-resistant and has few disease or insect problems. Birds are attracted to the seeds in the fall. Carolina jessamine adorns 5 of the 8 pillars on the 2 picnic pavilions at Sopchoppy Depot Park.