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Trumpet Vine Campsis radicans

Other plants called Trumpet Vine:

Phonetic Spelling
KAMP-sis RAD-ih-kans
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Trumpet vine is a dense, vigorous, multi-stemmed, deciduous, woody vine in the Bignoniacea (begonia) family that attaches itself to structures and climbs by aerial rootlets. It is native to the southeastern United States but has naturalized in many northern states. In nature, it can be found in swamps, forests, and thickets. 

Trumpet vine is easily grown in a wide variety of soils. It is best planted in lean-to-average soils with regular moisture in full sun to partial shade. Foliage grows well in shade, but plants need good sun for best flowering. 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. 

The challenge with species plants is usually not how to grow them but how to restrain them, in large part because they sucker profusely from underground runners and freely self-seed, often forming impenetrable colonies in the wild, which can choke out many plants that get in their way. To keep it in check, plant it near concrete or an area that you can mow; mowing down the suckers will discourage them.

Good landscape uses include planting it in a woodland garden or naturalized area. It is also appropriate in native and pollinator gardens.

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home.  Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems, however, the species is an aggressive spreader. Trumpet vine is also commonly known as cow-itch vine because some people experience skin redness and itching after coming in contact with the leaves.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot'
    More compact and manageable; reportedly less invasive.
  • 'Atropurpurea'
  • 'Crimson Trumpet'
  • 'Flava'
    attractive orange-yellow flowers
  • 'Indian Summer'
    more compact and manageable; reportedly less invasive
  • 'Judy'
  • 'Minor'
  • 'Praecox'
  • 'Spec'
'Apricot', 'Atropurpurea', 'Crimson Trumpet', 'Flava', 'Indian Summer', 'Judy', 'Minor', 'Praecox', 'Spec'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#apvg#high maintenance#fast growing#fire extreme flammability#aggressive#NC native#native vine#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#apvg-vg#Audubon#contact dermatitis#weed#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot'
    More compact and manageable; reportedly less invasive.
  • 'Atropurpurea'
  • 'Crimson Trumpet'
  • 'Flava'
    attractive orange-yellow flowers
  • 'Indian Summer'
    more compact and manageable; reportedly less invasive
  • 'Judy'
  • 'Minor'
  • 'Praecox'
  • 'Spec'
'Apricot', 'Atropurpurea', 'Crimson Trumpet', 'Flava', 'Indian Summer', 'Judy', 'Minor', 'Praecox', 'Spec'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#apvg#high maintenance#fast growing#fire extreme flammability#aggressive#NC native#native vine#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#apvg-vg#Audubon#contact dermatitis#weed#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Campsis
    Species:
    radicans
    Family:
    Bignoniaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds which are the principal pollinator of this plant. White-tailed deer and rabbits eat the foliage.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderately resistant to deer, drought, heat, and compaction
    Climbing Method:
    Clinging
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    long, bean-like seed capsules (3-5” long) which split open when ripe releasing numerous 2-winged seeds for dispersal by the wind
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The Trumpet creeper has clusters (terminal cymes) of red trumpet-shaped flowers (to 3” long) that appear throughout the summer (June to September). Its flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Its compound, odd-pinnate leaves (to 15” long) are shiny dark green above and glabrous dull green below. Each leaf has 7 to 11 elliptic to oblong leaflets (to 4" long) with serrated margins. The leaves turn yellow in the fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    pale brown and scaly
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Compaction
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Causes low toxicity if eaten. Contact with the sap can cause minor skin irritation with redness and swelling usually lasting for a few minutes.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves