Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)Â is in the Gelsemiaceae, or trumpet flower, family and was formerly classified in the Loganiaceae family.
Some of its common names include yellow jasmine, Carolina jasmine, Carolina yellow jasmine, evening trumpet flower, woodbine, poor man’s rope and yellow jessamine. Gelsomino means jasmine and sempervirens means always green.
It has been given a poor rap because of its misunderstood toxicity to bees. However, it is an excellent landscaping plant because it has beautiful evergreen foliage, brilliant yellow flowers, requires no maintenance once established, provides nectar for bees and is a good source of cover for songbirds.
It grows in zones 7a to 11. It is native to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.