Orange trumpet creeper is an attractive woody, clinging vine which attaches itself to structures and climbs by aerial rootlets. Clusters of spectacular, scarlet trumpet-shaped flowers (to 3" long) appear throughout the summer. Flowers are extremely desirable to hummingbirds and butterflies. 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. Rapidly grows 30-50' high. It produces compound, odd-pinnate leaves (to 15" long) which are shiny green above and smooth below. This vine is great for woodland gardens and 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.
Size: 12-18" · Hardiness: Zones 4-9 Common: Trumpet Creeper · Family: Bignoniaceae Botanical: Campsis radicans Height: 30-50' Vine · Spacing: 5-10' Flower: Orange, Scarlet · Bloomtime: July-August Foliage: Fern-like and Green · Exposure: Full Sun to part shade Pests: No serious insect or disease problems. Notes: 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 invasive and 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. Radicans means stem-rooting in reference to the aerial rootlets. Native to the southeastern U.S., but has naturalized in many northern states. Planting instructions: Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Easily grown in most soils. Best in poor to average soils with regular moisture in full sun. Foliage grows well in shade, but plants need good sun for best flowering.