Campsis

( KAMP - siss )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Trumpet Creeper or Trumpet Vine, this genus of semi-evergreen to deciduous vines needs full sun to partial shade and moderate to regular waterings. These vines, which bloom in midsummer to fall, will attract birds to your garden. Leaves are glossy and green, and flowers appear in clusters at branch tips. Stems will cling to structures using rootlets, though they can become quite heavy, and peel off their climbing structures under their own weight. They are reasonably hardy vines, and are commonly grown on sturdy structures like trellises or gazebos. Take care when planting these vines in the landscape, as they are considered mildly toxic to humans and pets and have sap that causes skin irritation.

Campsis Species and Varietals

The genus Campsis includes two species and one hybrid, and is a member of the plant family Bignoniaceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek word for bent (kampe), referring to the bent stamens in flowers. The best growing zones for Campsis vary, depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. ​To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Campsis grandiflora (Bignonia chinensis) (Chinese Trumpet Creeper)
This vine, hardy in zones 4-24, is not as vigorous as its American relative, though flowers are slightly larger and more red-flushed. Reaches 30 feet in length at maturity.

Campsis radicans (Bignonia radicans) (Common Trumpet Creeper)
This vine grows best in zones 1-21 and is native to the Eastern United States. Grown commonly in cold-winter areas where it will die to the ground in freezing temperatures, but bounce back in springtime. Flowers are orange and scarlet. Vigorous grower to 40 feet or more in length. Varieties include 'Balboa Sunset' (with dark red flowers) and 'Flava' (with yellow blooms and lighter-green leaves).

Campsis x tagliabuana
This deciduous species is a hybrid between Campsis radicans and Campsis grandiflora, and grows best in zones 3b-24. Varietals include 'Madame Galen' (with salmon-red flowers) and 'Indian Summer' (with salmon-colored blooms that have reddish-orange throats).

Caring for Campsis

These vines are dense, vigorous growers and will need some space to grow. They also prefer some structure to climb on; they attach themselves to various materials using aerial rootlets. At maturity, they can be heavy, and structures will sometimes need to be shored up to support them. Plant these vines in full sun to partial shade; ideally, they should receive between 4 and 8 hours of sun each day for best flowering and foliage growth. In particularly warm climates, ensure that these vines receive some afternoon shade when temperatures are the warmest. They appreciate well-draining, moderately fertile soils.  If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing this vine. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after planting, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during their growth and flowering season.

​These plants grow vigorously; in each dormant season it is a good practice to prune by shortening some branches and thinning others. When the plant produces new shoots, pinch back to encourage a bushier growth. These plants spread via suckering roots, so pull up any unwanted volunteers when they appear. Older plants can become unmanageable, but they can be cut all the way back to the ground if needed; they will bounce back in spring. Campsis vines are not heavy feeders, though they do appreciate a few inches of compost around their bases each spring to support the season's growth and flowering. Work compost into the soil a bit after pulling back mulch, and then replace mulch after the feeding is complete.

Propagation

Campsis vines can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Campsis by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Campsis by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. Also, some hybrid varieties do not produce viable seed. For these cultivars, propagation is best done via cutting. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot. Alternatively, Campsis seeds can simply be direct-sown in the garden.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Campsis seed pods hold many seeds.
Campsis seeds are typically papery and light brown.

Problems and Pests

Although these vines do not suffer from many pest and disease issues, they can cause problems in the gardens themselves. They sucker profusely from underground runners, and freely self-seed. Campsis vines have the potential to form large colonies that can choke out other garden plants. Growing these in outer areas of the landscape or in containers is suggested to combat this issue. These plants also have an extreme flammability rating, meaning they should not be planted close to inhabited structures. For information on common home garden pests and diseases, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

These vines make quick work of fences.
Here, a Campsis vine is grown on a chain link fence to add privacy to a garage and driveway.
The beautiful flowers on these vines are eye-catchingly bright.
Campsis vines can be used to climb up the outer walls of homes, adding softness to sharp angles.
Flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and bees, among others.
Campsis vines can be grown in containers to limit their growth and spread.

Videos

Learn how to grow these hummingbird favorites.
A quick, informative video about these fantastic landscaping vines.
Learn how to prune Campsis vines properly.
A home garden review of Campsis vines.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Trumpet Vine
How to Grow Campsis (Trumpet Vine)
Campsis radicans
Wikipedia: Campsis
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 218, Campsis
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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