Trumpet vine
Campsis radicans · Bignoniaceae
📷 Miwasatoshi · CC BY-SA 4.0
⚠️ Sève fraîche peut causer phototoxicité cutanée. Contact peau + exposition UV : dermatite, érythème.
The gardener's calendar
Trumpet vine is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Trumpet creeper
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
- Plant type
- Deciduous climbing vine
- Adult height
- Up to 8 m
- Flowering
- July to September
- Flower color
- Orange-red scarlet
- Hardiness
- Zone 5 to 11 (-15°C minimum)
- Origin
- Southeastern United States
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Campsis radicans spreads vigorously and quickly overruns spaces through its adhesive tendrils; guide it where you want it from year 1 onwards. Hard pruning in late winter (February-March) rejuvenates it and improves flowering.
The common mistake
Letting it freely attach to walls or gutters: it embeds itself, damaging the render and mortar joints.
The pro's trick
Cut all the previous year's shoots back to 2-3 buds in March: flowers appear on new growth.
Care
Light exposure
Trumpet creeper needs full sun to flower abundantly: at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Partial shade reduces flowering. It works particularly well on south or west-facing facades, even in intense heat.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish a deep root system. Once established, the plant tolerates moderate drought thanks to its adhesive aerial roots. During active growth, keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging.
Soil type
Trumpet creeper adapts to most soils but prefers well-draining, slightly fertile soil. Improve poor or clay soil with compost at planting. Avoid overly compact soils that would restrict aerial root penetration.
Pruning and structure
Prune after flowering (September-October) to control vigorous growth and direct it along the support. Cut back stems that escape or become overgrown. A well-maintained structure helps the plant adhere firmly to the support and prevents tangling.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth begins. Limit nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. A spring flowering fertilizer or wood ash in late winter suffices in already fertile soil.
Diseases and pests
Trumpet creeper is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions: ensure good ventilation and avoid wetting the foliage. Aphids may occasionally colonize young shoots. In case of infestation, a water spray or horticultural soap resolves the issue.
Did you know?
Trumpet creeper owes its success in Europe to its adhesive aerial roots: it can climb on practically any rough surface without mechanical support. Introduced from North America in the 18th century, it conquered Mediterranean gardens and Mediterranean facades, where its incandescent orange tubular flowers delight hummingbirds in America and bees in Europe.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.