The Lesser-Known Yellow Flowering Vine That's Similar To Carolina Jessamine And Blooms Twice A Year

If you live in the Southeastern United States, there's a good chance you're already a fan of Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens). What's not to love about the beautiful native vine with its fragrant, sunny yellow flowers? The fast-growing plant can even help attract birds and pollinators to your yard. If Carolina jessamine has a downside, it may be that the vine usually only blooms once a year, during early spring. Luckily, it also has a close relative, swamp jessamine (Gelsemium rankinii), which also has stunning flowers and reliably blooms twice a year.

If you've been desperate for more jessamine flowers, swamp jessamine may be the vine for you. Not only does it bloom in early spring, but it also blooms again in mid-autumn. The yellow flowers are just as beautiful as Carolina jessamine, though they lack the sweet scent. And don't worry about disappointing the birds and pollinators — they love swamp jessamine too. 

As its name suggests, swamp jessamine is often found in swampy areas, but it also flourishes in spots with well-draining soil, as long as the environment is moist and acidic. It would fit in well in a rain garden as it isn't bothered by occasional flooding. Swamp jessamine can handle both full and part sun, though it flowers more if it is given more sunlight. Hardy in zones 7 through 9, swamp jessamine is a perfect addition to trellises and fences for native plant lovers who live in the Southeast. 

If you do decide to grow swamp jessamine, it's important to be aware that, like Carolina jessamine, it is poisonous. This may mean that it isn't the right vining plant for people with curious pets or young children. If that is the case for you, then consider growing coral honeysuckle or crossvine instead. On the bright side, however, swamp jessamine's poisonous nature does ensure that it is rarely nibbled by deer.