(AKA Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, Cow Itch Vine, Tecoma/Bignonia radicans)
Intricate deciduous dark green foliage with showy red-orange, trumpet-shaped blooms June-Sept. Twining or prostrate habit. A native to designated zones, very aggresive, rapid growth rate (will climb 30-40), drought tolerant. Effective naturalized groundcover.
The trumpet shaped flowers are beautiful and will attract hordes of hummingbirds. Its leaves are compound and dense, while its stems have aerial roots that can cling to walls, trees and fence-posts. When they get adequate sun (full sun in the north, full to part sun in the south) clusters of yellow-orange to red trumpet-like flowers that are 3" to 4" long appear in summer and continue blooming until early autumn. Use it in woodland gardens and natural areas. It will quickly cover fences and other structures.
Prefers sun, especially in northern climates. Tolerances: deer, drought, heat & humidity, rabbits, slopes, wind. Mature prostrate height 12-18", spacing: 12-36".
The Trumpet vine or Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is a large and vigorous woody vine of the family Bignoniaceae, notable for its showy trumpet-shaped flowers. It is native to woodlands of the southeastern United States, but is a popular garden perennial plant across much of the country as some cultivars are hardy to as low as -30°F/-34°C.
The leaves are ovate, pinnate, 3-10 cm long, and emerald green when new, maturing into a dark green. The flowers come in terminal cymes of 4-12, orange to red in color with a yellowish throat, and generally appear after several months of warm weather. The plant as a whole may grow to 10 meters in height. The flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds, and many types of birds like to nest in the dense foliage.
The vigor of the trumpet vine should not be underestimated. In warm weather, it puts out huge numbers of tendrils that grab onto every available surface, and eventually expand into heavy woody stems several centimeters in diameter. It grows well on arbors, fences, and trees, although it may dismember them in the process. Ruthless pruning is recommended. Outside of its native range this species has the potential to be highly invasive, even as far north as New England.
Note: these may appear to be dead sticks when you receive them, they are not - be patient and once you have warm nights they will sent up shoots and eventually blossom.
USDA: Campsis radicans: Characteristics - Plant guide
Full sun Part sun Shade
Zones: 4-10 $108.50 for 1 pack of 50 plants ($2.17 per plant)5-19 packs - $98.50 per pack ($1.97 per plant)