Carolina Jessamine: The Yellow Vine That's Not a Jasmine

First, the spelling: it's jessamine, not jasmine. This vigorous, spring-flowering vine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a Southern classic, draping arbors and fences with fragrant yellow trumpets. Along highways, its dense growth on trees can fool drivers into thinking they're seeing a yellow-flowering tree.

It's also a problem-solver for erosion: plant it at the top or bottom of a clay bank and train it up or down the slope. Over time, it blankets the area and delivers a spectacular spring show.