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
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
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
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
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
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
Thanks, Beth Steele

















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