NOTE: DENISE MILFORT HAS QUESTIONED THE IDENTIFICATION OF THIS PLANT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF VERIFYING. IF ANYONE WANTS TO WEIGH IN ON THIS QUESTION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.

Star Jasmine (also called Confederate Jasmine; it's not a true jasmine but rather a member of the dogbane family) is an easy and rewarding plant for the Bay Area. In my area it's completely evergreen, and it's drought tolerant, and vigorous without being too invasive. It grows rapidly (it's a twining climber, but I understand it can be grown as a ground cover) and produces many beautiful flowers in the spring, which are quite fragrant. It's moderate to fast growing -- prune after flowering to control. Poisonous if ingested. I've had this one for a long time -- fifteen years or more. These pictures were taken in March 2006.