Gelsemium sempervirens 'Margarita' (Carolina Jessamine)

Gelsemium sempervirens, also called Carolina jessamine, is a vining plant noted for its glossy, green leaves and bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. 'Margarita' is a semi-evergreen to evergreen vine, depending on winter climate, though this cultivar is more cold hardy than its parent species. Attractive yellow flowers in the mid to late spring are highly attractive to a number of pollinators and hummingbirds, fragrant, and look beautiful when trellised or maintained in a shrubby growth habit. 

A favorite for planting on trellises, up facades, or among trees, Gelsemium sempervirens 'Margarita' grows up to 7-20' tall and can be used in almost any sunny to partial-shade location, so long as the soil is medium-moist and well-draining. 'Margarita' responds well to pruning and shaping, and can be trained up fences, structures, or even dead trees for an excellent, and ecologically beneficial, specimen planting. Gelsemium sempervirens 'Margarita' grows best when planted in average to fertile soils, and is tolerant of deer and rabbit damage due to its toxic leaves. Care should be taken with choosing a good planting location, especially around pets and young children.