Trumpet Vine, Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans

Family: Bignoniaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Orange, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer.Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable height, Variable spread.

Campsis radicans is a deciduous Climber growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Low woods and thickets. An aggressive weed of arable fields.

Southeast N. America - Florida to Texas and north to New Jersey and Michigan..

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The root is diaphoretic and vulnerary.

Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating: 1

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position. They 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. The form C. radicans f. flava has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Seashore, Woodland garden. Succeeds on a warm wall in a good loamy soil in full sun or light shade. Plants can become rampant when growing in rich soils. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -20°c according to some reports whilst another says that it is not hardy in all parts of the country but it succeeds in more open positions such as a pergola or an old tree in the southern part of England. Plants require the extra warmth of a sunny wall to induce better flowering. Plants are self-clinging by aerial roots like ivy but are best if given some support. Any pruning is best done in the spring. The seed only ripens outdoors in Britain in hot summers. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Special Features: Attracts birds, North American native, Invasive, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Attracts butterflies, Attractive flowers or blooms.

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. Suckers, removed in the dormant season.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 4-10

Growth: Fast

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

There have been isolated cases reported of people suffering from dermatitis after handling the leaves.

Native to the eastern United States and naturalized in parts of the western United States as well as in Ontario and parts of Europe. Outside of its native range this species has the potential to be highly invasive, even as far north as New England.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Bignonia radicans. Tecoma radicans. (L.)Juss.