Campsis radicans: Trumpet Vine

Latin name: Campsis radicans
Common name: Trumpet Vine¹⁹
Flowers: Conspicuous, 3-4” trumpet shaped red-orange flowers, bloom June-September^10,12
Fruit: 3-6” seed pods, split open and release two-winged seeds when ripe^10,12
Height & Width: 30+ feet^5,19
Type: Perennial, woody vine, groundcover^5,10
Habit: Clinging, climbing, creeping; grow on sturdy support^5,10
Wetland indicator category**: FAC¹⁷
Texture: Medium¹⁰
Growth rate: Fast, aggressive^5,10,12,19
Light: Full sun, part sun^5,10,12,19
Moisture: Drought tolerant; prefers well-drained moist soil^5,19
Soil*: Moist, well-drained soil; pH range (6.8-7.2), tolerates acidic and alkaline soil^5,19
Zones: 4-8⁵
Origin: Native in Eastern United States as far north as Ohio and as far south as Texas, and some areas of Eastern Canada^10,16
Ecosystem benefits: Attracts pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, nectar source, naturally good erosion control^5,10,12,19

Features: This is a desirable plant because of its ability to attract a wide variety of pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. It has 3-4” trumpet shaped flowers that grow in clusters. It has red-orange flowers, as well as a yellow cultivar¹⁰. Trumpet vine is easy to establish and can be used to decorate landscapes beautifully if managed properly.

Siting: Strategic siting is necessary to successfully maintain Trumpet Vine. Trumpet Vine uses aerial rootlets to spread which can cause damage to wood, brick, and stone^10,12. It is recommended that you site this plant on a structure such as a vinyl decorative archway or somewhere that pruning will not be a problem, as you will have to control the plants aggressive growth¹². This plant is drought tolerant and blooms best in full sunlight¹⁰.

Care: For transplanting, plant crown at soil level¹⁸. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems¹⁸. You may also propagate by cuttings, seeds, or semi-hardwood cuttings¹⁰.

Pests: Deer resistant, no serious pest issues^5,10,12,19.

Cautions*: The sap of this plant can cause skin irritation on contact^10,12.

This plant does not appear on the following invasive plant lists on (02/25/2019):

• USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml
• SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Author: Kieran McKinney

Image source: https://www.thriftyfun.com/Growing-Perennial-Vines.html

Sources:

1. Armitage, A. (2001). Armitage’s manual of annuals, biennials, and half-hardy perennials. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
2. Armitage, A. (2006). Armitage’s native plants for North American gardens. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press.
3. Armitage, A. (2008). Herbaceous perennial plants: A treatise on their identification, culture, and garden attributes. Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
4. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Flowers fact sheets. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/flowers/
5. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Groundcovers & vines fact sheets. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/groundcovers/
6. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Trees. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/trees/
7. Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.(2011). Shrubs. Retrieved from https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/shrubs/
8. Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of woody landscape plants. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
9. Gilman, E. F. (1997). Trees for urban and suburban landscapes. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers.
10. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center University of Texas at Austin. (2012). Native plant information network. Retrieved from  http://www.wildflower.org/explore/
11. McMillan, P., Plant taxonomist Clemson University, personal communication.
12. Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening. Plant finder. Retrieved from http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Alpha.asp
13. North Carolina State University (2005). Plant fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html
14. Strother, E. V., Ham, D. L., Gilland, L. (2003) Urban tree species guide: Choosing the right tree for the right place.  Columbia, SC: South Carolina Forestry Commission.
15. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. (2011). Southern trees fact sheet. Retrieved from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/department_envhort-trees
16. USDA. Plant profile. (n/d).Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/java/
17. USDA. Plant wetland indicator status. (n/d). Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html
18. Vincent, E., Environmental horticulturist Clemson University, personal communication.
19. Clemson Extension. Carolina Yards Plant Database. Retrieved from https://www.clemson.edu/extension/carolinayards/plant-database/index.html
20. Add additional sources starting here

*Soil pH is determined using a professional soil test. Contact your Clemson University County Extension service for assistance www.clemson.edu/extension/. Click on “local offices”.

**2012 Plant Wetland Indicator categories (quantitative derived) http://plants.usda.gov/wetinfo.html

Indicator Code	Indicator Status	Comment
OBL	Obligate Wetland	Almost always is a hydrophyte, rarely in uplands
FACW	Facultative Wetland	Usually is a hydrophyte but occasionally found in uplands
FAC	Facultative	Commonly occurs as either a hydrophyte or non-hydrophyte
FACU	Facultative Upland	Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands
UPL	Obligate Upland	Rarely is a hydrophyte, almost always in uplands