Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens 'Pale Yellow'
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Carolina jessamine is the twining gold of the Southern spring, native to the southern United States and honored as the state flower of South Carolina. An evergreen vine of easy grace, the plant clothes a fence or trellis in glossy, narrow leaves and, as winter loosens, opens a wash of fragrant yellow trumpets that scent the whole garden.
Natural variation in Gelsemium sempervirens is genuinely rare, which makes this selection a quiet treasure. The pale yellow-flowered form was found years ago by Chris Early in the piney country of northwestern Florida, and the soft, primrose-toned blooms set the plant apart from the deep golden yellow of the ordinary species, a subtle difference that reads clearly against the dark foliage.
Offered as a Woodlanders introduction, 'Pale Yellow' carries all the virtues of the Carolina jessamine in a gentler key: the same sweet fragrance, the same evergreen polish, the same easy constitution in sun or light shade. The vine twines rather than clings, so a fence, a mailbox post, a trellis, or an arbor gives the growth something to climb.
Give a sunny to lightly shaded spot and ordinary, well-drained soil, and the plant asks little more. One honest caution: like all jessamines, every part of Gelsemium sempervirens is poisonous if eaten, so site the vine away from where small children or pets might be tempted by the flowers. Grown with that in mind, few native vines give so much fragrance and evergreen grace for so little trouble.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 10–20 Feet · Spread 3–6 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Pale yellow, fragrant, late winter to spring
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.