Campsis radicans
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Tried and True Recommended by 5 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: trumpetcreeper
Type: Vine
Family: Bignoniaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Native Range: Southeastern United States
Height: 25 to 40 feet
Spread: 5 to 10 feet
Bloom Time: July
Bloom Color: Orange, Red
Bloom Description: Orange, scarlet
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: High
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Hummingbirds
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Drought, Deer
Uses: Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in most soils. Best in lean to average soils with regular moisture in full sun. Foliage grows well in shade, but plants need good sun for best flowering. The problem with trumpet vine is usually not how to grow it but how to restrain it. Blooms on new growth, so early spring pruning will not affect the flowering. Vines must be grown on sturdy structures because mature plants produce considerable weight. This is an extremely aggressive plant which suckers profusely from underground runners and freely self-seeds. Will form impenetrable colonies in the wild which can choke out many plants that get in its way. Michael Dirr has expressed the opinion that "if you can not grow this [vine], give up gardening."

Noteworthy Characteristics

Trumpet vine (also commonly called trumpetcreeper) is a woody, clinging vine which attaches itself to structures and climbs by aerial rootlets. Rapidly grows 30-40' high. It produces compound, odd-pinnate leaves (to 15" long) which are shiny green above and glabrous below. Clusters (terminal cymes) of red trumpet-shaped flowers (to 3" long) appear throughout the summer. Flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds. Flowers are followed by long, bean-like seed pods (3-5" long) which split open when ripe releasing numerous 2-winged seeds for dispersal by the wind. Native to the southeastern U.S. including Missouri, but has naturalized in many northern states. In Missouri, trumpet vine is native to the Ozark region, but has naturalized throughout the State where it now typically occurs in woods, thickets, fields and along streams, roadsides and railroads (Steyermark). Radicans means stem-rooting in reference to the aerial rootlets. Also commonly called cow-itch vine because some people experience skin redness and itching after coming in contact with the leaves. Synonymous with Bignonia radicans.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Very aggressive spreader.

Garden Uses

Woodland gardens, naturalized areas. Provides quick cover for fences, arbors, trellises, walls or other structures in the landscape. Also may be grown along the ground to camouflage rock piles or old tree stumps. Good vine for hot, dry sites. Needs lots of room. Excellent for hummingbird gardens.

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