Campsis radicans: Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine

This Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ publication is part of a document series originally written by Edward F. Gilman. Visit https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ to learn more about creating and maintaining attractive landscapes that protect Florida's water resources and environment.

Introduction

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a woody perennial vine native to the southeastern United States. This plant can climb 30 feet or more when given support from other plants or surrounding structures (Figures 1 and 2). The large, dark green leaves are bipinnately compound and have dentate leaf margins (Figure 3). The brilliant orange flowers are borne in showy panicles during the summer months and are often visited by hummingbirds and other pollinators such as bees and songbirds (Figure 4). Various cultivars may have red, orange, or yellow flowers (Figure 5). Trumpet vine is also the larval hostplant for the plebian sphinx moth (Paratrea plebeja). This plant produces a large 3–6-inch legume, or bean-like pod, which turns from green to brown once it matures (Figure 6). Trumpet vine’s rapid growth makes training easy, but regular pinching and pruning is required to establish this vine on a structure. The aggressive growth habit of the plant makes it hard to remove once it is established in the yard. Ants often live on trumpet vine and are sometimes found objectionable by some gardeners. The thick, woody stem can grow between wooden house siding and destroy it. It is best suited for planting at the base of an arbor or trellis. It can also be used in a container where it will cascade over the side. This plant should be located in an area where its fast growth habit will not become an issue. Trumpet vine is well suited for landscaping in wooded areas, naturalizing, or veiling a trellis.

General Information

Scientific name: Campsis radicans

Pronunciation: KAMP-sis RAD-ick-anz

Common name(s): trumpet creeper, trumpet vine

Family: Bignoniaceae

Plant type: vine

USDA hardiness zones: 4A through 10B (Figures 7 and 8)

Planting month for zone 7: year-round

Planting month for zone 8: year-round

Planting month for zone 9: year-round

Planting month for zones 10 and 11: year-round

Origin: native to Florida

Invasive potential: native plant that often reproduces into nearby landscapes

Uses: hanging basket; attracts hummingbirds; larval hostplant; naturalizing; woodland garden; veils a trellis

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Description

Height: depends upon supporting structure

Spread: depends upon supporting structure

Plant habit: spreading

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: medium

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in partial shade; plant grows in full sun

Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; slightly alkaline; acidic; clay; sand; loam

Drought tolerance: high

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant

Toxicity: this plant exhibits low toxic characteristics; leaves and flowers can cause contact dermatitis; plant toxic if ingested

Use and Management

Trumpet vine may be located in a full sun to partial shade location. Full sun is ideal to promote flowering. Trumpet vine is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions; however, soil should be well drained. This plant attracts pollinators, including hummingbirds. It is also the larval hostplant of a plebian sphinx moth (Paratraea plebeja) and trumpet vine moth (Clydonopteron sacculana). This plant is well suited for woodland or natural areas in a landscape. Cultivars of this plant are available, which have various colors and growth habits.

Maintenance of this plant should occur in early spring, as the plant flowers on new growth. This native plant has an aggressive growth habit and should be located away from structures that it could damage. Trumpet vine is also highly flammable, so care should be taken to locate it away from dwellings. This plant can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals and is toxic if ingested.

Propagation is by seed or cuttings.

Design Considerations

Trumpet vine is a high‑impact native that can be magnificent or a problem depending on placement. It produces spectacular orange to red trumpet-shaped blooms in the hottest months and is a great hummingbird attractor. It is, however, extremely aggressive. This colorful native vine spreads vigorously by root suckers and uses clinging aerial rootlets that can damage wood siding, shingles, and mortar. It can overwhelm and strangle nearby shrubs and trees, so it should not be planted directly on a house, wooden fence, or allowed to climb a living tree.

Place it on large, sturdy non-architectural supports such as metal fences, standalone arbors, or pergolas, or in tightly contained strips where suckers are easy to spot and remove. In expansive, informal settings, it can be allowed to scramble over banks or rock piles. Plan for maintenance by ensuring easy access for hard winter pruning and routine sucker removal.

Pests and Diseases

Minor pest issues include leaf hoppers. Minor disease issues include leaf spot and powdery mildew.