vines in garden > other plants > Campsis
Campsis radicans
- Trumpet Creeper
Trumpet Creeper is a very vigorous, rapid-growing vine that can reach up to 6-10 m in height climbing by means of clinging aerial roots. It has very decorative orange flowers that are produced in summer, form July to September. The plants grown from seed start blooming after 5-8 years, while the ones propagated vegetatively begin to flower already in the second or the third year. For best flowering plant it in a warm sheltered position in full sun. It prefers rich moist soil but is well adaptable to less favorable conditions and will ready tolerate lime soil.
Campsis is ideal for covering walls,
but can also be used to cover pergolas, arbors and other strong supports. If you plant it next to a small building and let it scramble over the roof, you'll get better and more intensive bloom, as the roof captures solar heat well.
Trumpet Creeper starts its vegetation period late in spring, which is quite advantageous as it prevents the risk of damage of the young shoots caused by ground frost. However, once it's started, at the end of May it begins growing very rapidly and so at the beginning of July it forms a thick mass of greenery. It climbs up either by entwining its stems around the support or by attaching tightly to the surface using aerial roots. During the first 2 years after planting, until it has spread out and become stronger, you should provide it with a support and protect the base of the plant in winter. It may freeze to the ground during severe winters, but new stems will sprout at the base in spring and quickly clothe the support.
Hard pruning, while reducing its vegetation development will enhance blooming, and after a few years of such pruning you can get a flowering plant with stems so thick that they will not need a support. It will, however change the appearance of the original plant.
In spring cut the stems above the second - third bud of the last year's growth, preferably in late March - early April.
- 'Flamenco'
- orange-red flowers, bigger than those of the original species,
- 'Flava'
- yellow flowers,
- 'Gabor'
- deep-red flowers.
- 'Ursynów'
- an early-flowering, quite hardy cultivar with large leaves and rich orange flowers.
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