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How to Grow Carolina Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

December26,1997 Melinda M. Hipp wrote:
Hi - thanks for your service. I have four Carolina Jessamine plants that have been doing well for over 4 years. One on the end suddenly started getting sick and died. Now the one next to is is starting the same process. The leaves start turning a reddish color and the plant gets really thin. HELP- I really want to save them.

Hi again, Melinda Your situation is one of those where I would really like to be able to examine the plants in person. I'll do the best I can with what I have.
Carolina jasmine grows best when its roots are shaded and cool, but the vine tolerates either full sun or partial shade. Plant it in rich, somewhat acid, well-drained soil with organic matter worked into it. Keep the soil moist and feed monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer except when plants are resting in the fall. Although a moist soil is ideal, the vine is able to withstand short periods of drought.
Prune immediately after flowering, removing dead or broken branches and shaping the plant.
Plants may be propagated easily by air layering, from stem cuttings taken in spring from established new growth, or from seeds in spring.
Pests rarely attack Carolina Jessamine. Plants growing in a particular habitat generally do not transplant well since they will need all of their soil, water and light conditions replicated in order to grow. Having said all of that, I have done nothing to solve your problem. There has to be a clue in the fact that it is apparently spreading up the line, rather than all the plants ailing at once. My first instinct was root knot nematode, but most sources say that Gelsemium is practically immune to them.
Jessamine has thick rhizomous roots as well as stems which often run underground for a considerable distance.... Has there been any digging or other changes within 20 feet or so? Is there any possibility that the roots might have reached a source of toxin, itself?
The only other thing that I could suggest would be to do a complete soil test for PH, iron, etc. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) in toxic plant! All parts of the plant usually contain toxic alkaloids. Eating just one flower has reportedly been lethal to children. The plant can also cause skin allergies in some people and it is possible that the plant toxins can be absorbed through the skin, especially if there are cuts.(Apparently children think the flowers are honeysuckle, and suck on the blossoms.) I am not suggesting that you shouldn't have the plant, but I want to pass on any pertinent warnings that I come across. I wish I could be more help to you, maybe with what I've told you you can figure it out. Please let me know if you do. Good luck! Bill

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