In northwestern SC (Zone 7b), _Gelsemium sempervirens_, the South Carolina State Flower, commonly called the "Carolina jessamine," blooms in March and April during azalea, wisteria, and dogwood season. It blooms a little earlier than that on the Coastal Plain. There is, however, a fall-blooming, scentless relative, _Gelsemium rankinii_ that would give you an extended blooming period--but no heady fragrance. Woodlanders in Aiken usually has the 'rankinii' in its rich horticultural inventory.

BTW, Carolina Jessamine is not a Jasmine. Gelsemium sempervirens is the Latin name. This is important because all parts of this plant are poisonous and Jasmines aren't. I know you didn't ask this but thought you might want to know. It is generally carefree in sun or partial shade. Does not like to get bone dry though. You might try fertilizing with a high Phosporous fertilizer. (middle number on pkg higher than first)

Hi All - First posting here. I stumbled in here, after searching for info on ground cover that grows rapidly and vertically. I live in the Metro Atlanta area, specifically about 30 minutes SW of the airport in Newnan. Our lot slopes up from the street, and our back yard has always been nearly non-existent. It went back maybe 10-15 feet, was uneven, and full of rocks. I had someone come in and do some grading to get a fairly flat surface, and 15-20 feet from the back of the house, so we could actually use part of the back yard. One spot was used to put a cheap pool (You can see it's still filling in the pic). Grading is a lot cheaper than building retaining walls, so that's not in my plan, at least not for a year or two. What I want to do is find something that I can plant at the base of this vertical slope (the loose dirt will be removed), and have it grow up the slope vertically, and hopefully root into it as it grows, to aid in holding it in place. Ultimately, I'd like it to continue to the upper part which has always been weeds, and cover that, choking out the unattractive weeds, and making it more maintenance free. It sounds like Confederate Jasmine may be what I'm looking for. As you can see in the picture, I am surrounded by hard, compacted clay, and to make it more fun, it's probably the rockiest soil I've seen here, and I've been in this area most of my life. How long do you think it would take Confederate Jasmine to grow to the top of the bare area (maybe 7' at the corner peak)? This area is in full Sun from maybe 11AM till just about dusk each day. Would it grow straight up, or would it fan out and grow up and out at the same pace? Should I plant it just at the base? How far apart should I plant it, and how is Confederate Jasmine sold? Thanks in advance!

Yea what is done is done. It may come back or it may not. I have always left the vines when I try to mve mine. Some take some dont. If it had a good root system it may take. wait and see