The trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), which may be found in orange, yellow, and red hues, stands out against the emerald background created by the compound leaves, which are made of deep green leaflets. Trumpet vines put on quite a show when they first start flowering, and they may keep it going all summer. Hummingbirds are regular visitors to trumpet vines because of the nectar-rich flowers.
The trumpet vine plant blooms from summer through October. However, those in shaded areas may not flower as profusely.
Source: Pinterest
See also: Cypress Vine: Facts, grow and care tips
Trumpet vine: Key facts
| Genus Name | Campsis |
| Common Name | Trumpet vine |
| Plant Type | Vine |
| Sun Exposure | Full, partial |
| Height | 8 to 20 feet |
| Width | 5–10 ft. wide |
| Colour | Orange, Red, Yellow |
| Features | Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom |
| Special Features | Attracts birds |
| Propagation | Layering, seed, stem cuttings |
| Problem Solvers | Drought tolerant |
Trumpet vine: Physical description
- The leaves of the trumpet vine, a native North American plant, are glossy dark green and up to 15 inches long.
- They include seven to eleven serrated leaflets. Throughout the summer months, clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of red, orange, or yellow develop, eventually giving way to seed capsules that resemble beans.
- Stems of trumpet creeper, a natural woody vine, grow woody with age and have aerial rootlets.
- Tube-shaped, 5-lobed, up-to-3-inch-long orange, red-orange, or rarely all-red flowers are in terminal clusters.
- The leaves are complex and have 6-10 alternating leaflets (plus one at the tip) that are ovate-lanceolate in shape, coarsely serrated, and end in long points.
- The 2-6-inch-long fruits resemble pods but are instead woody and break open on both ends.
- As a family member of catalpa, the trumpet creeper shares that plant’s characteristic flower shape and elongated pods.
Trumpet vine: Varieties
While all trumpet vines include trumpet-shaped blooms, blossom colours may range widely.
Yellow trumpet vine (Campsis radicans f. flava)
First, there’s the yellow trumpet vine, or Campsis radicans f. flava, which has three-inch-long, golden-yellow blossoms.
Source: Pinterest
Chinese trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora)
The Chinese trumpet vine, or Campsis grandiflora, produces larger blossoms than its North American counterparts but is more susceptible to frost damage.
Source: Pinterest
Campsis x tagliabuana ‘Indian Summer’ or ‘Kudian’
The hybrid trumpet vine Campsis x tagliabuana ‘Indian Summer‘ or ‘Kudian’ is very resilient and has beautiful salmon-yellow blossoms. When trained along the face of a trellis, this trumpet vine is a popular choice.
Source: Pinterest
Campsis radicans ‘Apricot’
Campsis radicans ‘Apricot’ is a compact-growing cultivar of the trumpet vine genus with apricot-coloured blooms.
Source: Pinterest
Trumpet vine: How to grow?
Seeding
Self-seeding is common for trumpet vine, but you may also gather and plant the seeds manually. After the seedpods have fully matured, they will turn brown and break apart, signalling that the seeds within are ready to be harvested. You may then either keep the seeds until spring and spread them, or plant them in containers or directly in the garden (approximately 14 to 12 inches (0.5 to 1.5 cm.) deep) in the autumn to enable the seeds to overwinter and sprout in spring.
Cutting
Trim off the plant’s lower leaves and plant the cuttings in a container with a potting mix with good drainage. Cuttings may be dipped in rooting hormone before planting if desired. Make sure it gets enough water and is kept in a cool, shaded spot. A month or two after taking the cutting, you should see roots developing; at this point, you may either transplant the plant or let it continue growing until the next spring, at which point you can replant it.
Layering
A lengthy section of the stem may be buried by first being nicked with a knife and then bent down to the earth. Use some wire or a stone to keep it in place. New roots should emerge within a month or two, but it’s best to leave the stem intact until spring, at which point you may cut it away from the parent plant.
Transplanting
It is also possible to spread trumpet vine by dividing it or transplanting its suckers or young shoots to other locations in the garden. The end of winter or the beginning of spring is a common time for this. Cut the root into sections measuring between 3 and 4 inches (7.5 and 10 cm) in length. Plant them shallowly and consistently water them. During a month or so, fresh growth should emerge.
Trumpet vine: Maintenance
Light
Trumpet vines like full sun but may grow in dappled light. The finest blooms come from plants that get full sun or at least six hours of sunshine daily.
Soil
These vines prefer wet, well-drained soils but will grow in various conditions, including sand, loam, and clay. Seasonal marshes and dense forests are common habitats for them in their natural environments.
Water
Tolerant of dry conditions but preferring moderately wet soil, trumpet vines thrive in partial shade. Amounts of water equal to around 1 inch per week, whether from rain or irrigation, are more than enough to ensure optimal plant growth.
Temperature and humidity
Plants of the trumpet vine family like warm, humid climates. The vine is less tenacious and easier to manage in drier regions.
Fertiliser
As trumpet vines are fast-spreading and can survive in poor soil, they need no additional fertilising to grow.
Growing tips
While it may grow in rich organic soil, trumpet vine does better in poor soil. When planted in too fertile soil, vines produce an abundance of foliage rather than flowers. Trumpet vine thrives in direct sunlight.
Partially sunny conditions are also acceptable for growing trumpet vine, although the plant is more likely to spread than to bloom if given a chance. Once grown, trumpet vine thrives and may even survive drought.
Caution should be ensured when dealing with trumpet vine. Its nectar attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators, but prolonged contact with its leaves and seeds is hazardous. Gardeners who want to prevent getting a rash or hives from trumpet vine seed pods should avoid touching the pods without first protecting their skin with gloves.
Trumpet vine: Uses
- Its versatile appearance makes it a popular choice for covering anything from fences to arbours to walls to pillars to massive trellises and for usage on the ground.
- These cigar-shaped fruit might be used as seasonal décor.
- Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to the trumpet creeper for its tubular blossoms and copious amounts of nectar.
- Blood tonic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, and febrifuge are only some of the benefits of the blossoms and the entire plant.
- They are prescribed for the relief of symptoms experienced by women. Women experiencing menstruation problems, rheumatic discomfort, trauma, painful urination, pruritus, or weeping dermatophytosis might benefit from drinking a decoction of the flowers.
Trumpet vine: Information about its invasiveness
- Complaints about trumpet vine often centre on the plant’s aggressive growth, which may destroy buildings and foundations and suffocate other vegetation. Because of this, trumpet vine has to be planted 6 to 12 feet away from nearby trees or structures. If you live where wildfires are common, practice caution with trumpet vine as it is flammable.
- It uses aerial rootlets to climb trees, reaching 40 foot or more. The seeds produced by its blossoms may then be used to grow more vines that spread their seeds. Its creepy roots stretch underground and send up climbers in every direction, far from the mother plant.
- This plant is a little hard to get rid of. It may take a few applications of a herbicide designed to kill these vines and bushes, and they must have their roots severed before they can be treated with herbicide.
Trumpet vine: Toxicity
The plant is mildly toxic to humans and animals. The seeds, in particular, are a little more potent in toxicity, so make sure you keep your pets away from them. You should seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your pet has ingested any component of this plant.
To prevent skin irritation or hives, it is suggested to use gloves when dealing with the plant.
FAQs
Where do trumpet vines grow best?
While they do best in soil draining well, trumpet vines may grow everywhere. There's no need to add organic matter when you plant. They can grow in either part shade or full sun, but they bloom best in full sun.
Does trumpet vine have another name?
The hardy climber Campsis radicans, also called trumpet vine and cow itch, grows in the eastern and southern parts of the United States. It has clusters of trumpet-shaped, orange to scarlet-orange flowers at the end of its stems.
What's trumpet vine used for?
It is often used as a ground cover or as a covering for fences, arbours, walls, pillars, or large trellises. The cigar-shaped fruit could be used as a decoration in the winter. Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to the trumpet creeper because of its tubular flowers and large amounts of nectar.
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