Trumpet Creeper
Campsis grandiflora

Family: Bignoniaceae

What it is like

Campsis grandiflora is a deciduous Climber growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from June to October, in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 9

Where it is found

Hillsides and roadsides in China. Climbs into trees and grows on rocks.

E. Asia - C. China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

The flowers and the whole plant are blood tonic, carminative, depurative diuretic and febrifuge. They are used in the treatment of women's complaints. A decoction of the flowers is used to correct menstrual disorders, rheumatoid pains, traumatic injuries, difficult urination, pruritis and oozing dermaphytoses.

Blood tonic: Is this any different to a blood purifier?

Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Other

Rating:

Plants can be allowed to scramble on the ground and will form an effective ground cover, rooting at intervals along the branches. They should be planted about 2.5 metres apart each way.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Succeeds in a good well-drained loam and a very sunny position or light shade. Tolerates moderately alkaline or moderately acid soils. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c, though they require a sunny sheltered wall or hot summers if they are to flower well. The fresh young growth in spring is often damaged by late frosts. Plants can take some years to settle down before they start to flower. They climb by means of aerial roots but need to be supported. Another report says that this species does not produce aerial roots. Plants can be pruned like grapes (Vitis spp.) and any pruning is best done in the spring. The sub-species C. grandiflora thunbergii tolerates saline winds. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse at 10°c. Two months stratification at 5°c assists germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long, July/August in a frame. Slow to root but a fair percentage. Root cuttings 5cm long in December. Fair to good percentage. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Layering in winter. Plants often self-layer.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Ground Cover;

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. adrepens. C. chinensis. Voss. Bignonia chinensis. B. grandiflora. Tecoma grandiflora.