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The Chinese trumpet creeper vine grows naturally in eastern and southeastern China. It can be seen on many buildings, hillsides, and roads. Not to be confused with the American trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), which can be aggressive and often spreads by seed, Chinese trumpet creeper plants are still very flowery and grow very quickly. Interested in growing Chinese trumpet vines? Read on for more Chinese trumpet creeper info and plant care.
The campsis grandiflora, also known as the Chinese trumpet vine or Chinese trumpet creeper is a stunning flowering vine perfect for gardens. With its abundant colorful blooms and fast growth rate, this plant adds vertical interest and natural beauty wherever it climbs.
Overview
The campsis grandiflora is a deciduous woody vine that is native to Eastern China and Japan. It is a member of the Bignoniaceae family and can grow quite large, reaching up to 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide. This vine climbs by way of aerial rootlets and twines as it grows upwards. Without support, it will also scramble along the ground as a ground cover.
The campsis grandiflora blooms in the summer and fall with panicles of bright orange to red trumpet-shaped flowers that can grow up to 3 inches long These flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden The flowers are followed by long pod-like seed follicles in the fall. The vine has elegant compound leaves made up of 7-9 oval leaflets that emerge light green in spring and turn yellow in fall.
While not as aggressive as the native North American trumpet vine (campsis radicans), the campsis grandiflora can still spread quite vigorously and will need regular pruning to keep it in bounds. It grows rapidly and can cover a fence or arbor in just a few seasons. Sturdy support is required for this vine to climb upward.
Growing Conditions
The campsis grandiflora performs best in full sun locations. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While tolerant of many soil types, this vine grows best in moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. It does well in coastal gardens but also thrives with summer heat farther inland. Avoid planting trumpet vine in heavily shaded areas.
This vine grows throughout USDA plant hardiness zones 6-9. It can withstand winter temperatures down to -10°F once established. Provide shelter from harsh winter winds in colder zones. Plants may take a few years to start flowering after being planted from a young age. Pruning old wood in early spring encourages more prolific bloom.
Uses in the Landscape
With its fast growth and showy flowers, the campsis grandiflora makes an excellent flowering screen or accent plant. Some ways to use Chinese trumpet vine include:
- Covering fences, arbors, pergolas, and trellises
- ACCENT in pollinator or cottage gardens
- Vertical interest on poles, obelisks, pillars
- Scrambling along banks and slopes as groundcover
- Container plant for decks and patios
The bright orange to red flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The vine adds color and interest to gardens and helps disguise unsightly features while providing shelter and food for wildlife. It can be quite invasive so be sure to prune regularly and monitor growth.
Varieties
There are a few noteworthy varieties of campsis grandiflora:
- ‘Morning Calm’ – Peach and apricot colored flowers with yellow throats. More compact growth.
- ‘Thunbergii’ – Orange flowers with short, reflexed corolla lobes.
Care and Maintenance
- Plant in spring after the last frost. Grow in well-draining soil.
- Water regularly until established. Drought tolerant once established.
- Fertilize in early spring to encourage growth and flowering.
- Prune frequently to control size and shape. Best pruned in late winter.
- Can be propagated from cuttings or seed.
- Monitor for pests and diseases. Overall quite robust.
- Avoid planting near structures or pipes due to invasive roots.
Common Problems
- Damaged growth from late spring frosts
- Aggressive spreading
- Needs frequent pruning/training to control growth
With abundant colorful blooms over many months and vigorous growth habit, the campsis grandiflora Chinese trumpet vine is an excellent choice where a fast growing flowering vine is desired. It thrives with heat and sun. Just be sure to give this plant plenty of space and sturdy support to grow. The campsis grandiflora is a great way to add vertical interest and attract wildlife to gardens.
Chinese Trumpet Creeper Plant Info
Chinese trumpet creeper vines (Campus grandiflora) can be grown in USDA zones 6-9. They grow rapidly once established and can attain lengths of 13-30 feet (4-9 m. ) in an ideally sunny area. This vigorous woody vine bears blossoms in the early summer in a profusion of 3-inch (7. 5 cm. ), red or orange blossoms. Beginning in early June, trumpet-shaped flowers appear on new growth. The show lasts for about a month. Thereafter, the vine will sporadically blossom throughout the summer. Hummingbirds and other pollinators flock to its blooms. After the flowers fall off, long, bean-shaped seed pods appear and sprout, letting the two-winged seeds fall out. It is an excellent vine for full sun exposures growing on trellises, fences, walls, or on arbors. As was already said, it is not nearly as aggressive as Campsis radicans, the American trumpet creeper vine, which spreads by root suckers. The name of the genus comes from the Greek word for “bent,” which refers to the flowers’ bent stamens. Grandiflora stems from the Latin ‘grandis,’ meaning large and ‘floreo,’ meaning to bloom.
Chinese Trumpet Creeper Plant Care
If you want to grow Chinese trumpet creeper, put it somewhere with full sun and soil that is average to slightly rich and drains well. Even though this vine can grow in some shade, it will bloom best when it is in full sun. When established, vines have some drought tolerance. In USDA zones that are cooler, put mulch around the vine before winter comes because, once it drops below 15 F, (-9 C. ), the vine may suffer damage such as stem dieback. Chinese trumpet vines are tolerant of pruning. You can prune the plant in late winter or early spring, when blossoms start to show on new growth. Cut back plants to within 3-4 buds to encourage compact growth and the formation of flower buds. Also, remove any damaged, diseased, or crossing shoots at this time. This vine has no serious insect or disease issues. It is, however, susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf blight, and leaf spot.
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FAQ
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