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How to Grow Gelsemium — Carolina Jasmine

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Carolina jasmine, Gelsemium, is an evergreen twining perennial climber. Carolina jasmine is grown for its funnel-shaped, sweetly fragrant, five-petaled yellow flowers borne in clusters in early to mid-spring.

Get to know Carolina Jasmine

  • Plant type: Evergreen late winter- or early spring blooming vine
  • Growing Zones and range: 7-9
  • Hardiness: Half-hardy
  • Height and width: 15’- 20’
  • Foliage: Simple green leaves are arranged opposite
  • Flowers: Yellow
  • Bloom time: Winter and early spring
  • Uses: Plant on a fence, trellis, or arch; can be used as a groundcover on banks
  • Botanical name: Gelsemium sempervirens
  • Common name: Carolina jasmine, evening trumpet flower, woodbine

Where to plant Carolina Jasmine

  • Plant Carolina jasmine in full sun to light shade
  • Grow Carolina jasmine in average to humus-rich soil.
  • Avoid waterlogged sites.
Carolina jasmine, Gelsemium sempervirens
Carolina jasmine, Gelsemium sempervirens

When to plant Carolina Jasmine

  • Set established Carolina jasmine in the garden in spring or fall.

Planting and spacing Carolina Jasmine

  • Space Carolina jasmine 10 to 15 feet apart.

How to water and feed Carolina Jasmine

  • Carolina jasmine needs ample moisture; keep the soil evenly moist.
  • Fertilize Carolina jasmine with a slow-release fertilizer each spring.
  • Prune Carolina jasmine every few years to renew growth; right after flowering prune back Carolina jasmine by half to two-thirds.
  • Carolina jasmine is usually pest and disease-free.

Carolina Jasmine care

  • Mulch around Carolina jasmine to conserve soil moisture.
  • Tie plants to support; Carolina will twine upwards.
  • Prune after flowering to control growth.
  • Transplant container-grown plants in spring.

Carolina Jasmine propagation

  • Take cutting in summer. Sow seed in spring.

Carolina Jasmine varieties to grow

  • ‘Pride of Augusta’ (‘Plena’) has double flowers.

Written by Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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