Swamp Jessamine

Gelsemium rankinii

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Vine

Height or Length at Maturity: 12’+

Width at Maturity: 2-4′
Spacing: 3-6′ apart on fences

Growth Habit / Form: Climbing, Dense, Spreading/Trailing, Twining, Twisted Branching, Upright

Growth Rate: Fast to Very Fast

Flower Color: Bright Yellow
Flower Type: Single

Flower Size: 1 to 1.5″
Flowering Period: Spring and Fall

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Deep Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun, Part Shade

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 8.0

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Insects

Description

If you know of and like Carolina Jessamine you will absolutely love Swamp Jessamine. A close relative of the more familiar Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), Swamp Jessamine (Gelsimium rankinii) is unique in that it produces its bright yellow blooms in both spring and fall. The foliage is evergreen in USDA Zone 8a but may be semi-evergreen to deciduous in zones further north. Suitable for growing on a trellis, arbor, fence, wall, pergola, mailbox, up lattice, or as a groundcover. Its bright yellow, funnel-shaped blooms contrast nicely with the shiny, dark green evergreen leaves that cover its dense, twining stems.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 12 feet or more in height or length and 2 to 4 feet wide, Swamp Jessamine is ideal for use to climb along the tops of fences or over arbors and any other structure that provides support, such as a trellis, post or mailbox. It can also be useful as a ground cover for slopes or banks or to climb into smaller trees where early flowering is especially noticeable. A fine addition to yellow theme gardens, cottage gardens, and North American native plant gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 6 feet apart on fences

Growing Preferences

Swamp Jessamine is very easy to grow. It tolerates a wide range of soils, even somewhat boggy soils, however is also exceptionally drought tolerant. It prefers a moist, well-drained soil of average fertility. We have it growing in sunny and partially shaded sites and it does equally as well in both exposures. USDA Zones 7a-9b Find Your Zone

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Jessamine vines.

How To Plant & Care For Jessamine Vines

How To Train Vines To Grow On A Fence, Pole, Trellis Or Wall

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

I bought 2 of these in 2021 and planted them in two different locations in my yard. They are both thriving! A very showy display and so easy to grow.——————————————————-Thnks so much for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

A great vine that is not invasive. Purchased over 20 years ago at Daniel Stowe Botanical garden N. Carolina. My plant has been living and thriving in a clay pot.(transplanted once)
Disease free, First to bloom in the spring. Minimal care When she is no longer flowering great evergreen leaves.
I worked in a garden center and always recommended this sweet vine.—————————–Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG

My swamp jasmine arrived perfectly packed, no stress, and quite mature. It is truly lovely. Best online experience I have had.—————————–Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

We purchased two of these and they are doing so well planted in a very moist location. Fast growing and are looking really nice growing up, through, and around obelisk trellises.—————————————–Hi Antoinette, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Swamp Jessamine-Jasmine. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Very nice and healthy plant. Arrived in perfect condition and so far (few weeks) doing well in the garden.—————————WBG Reply: Hi Mihaela, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Swamp Jessimine – Jasmine. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

We looked all over the Charlotte area and no one had the Swamp Jessamine. We ordered 4 plants. They came in perfect condition and were beautiful plants.———————WBG Reply: Hi, Julie,Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Swamp Jessimine. We are glad that we had it for you and hope you enjoy these awesome vines for years to come!
Thanks, Beth Steele