Trumpet vines, which are also called Campsis, are strong vines that have bright orange and red trumpet-shaped flowers from midsummer to fall.
They are native to the United States and grow quickly as climbing plants. They do need to be pruned regularly to keep them in good shape and working at their best. If you don’t trim your plants regularly, they can grow out of control and damage fences, decks, or buildings because they grow so quickly.
Even though pruning sounds like a difficult task because of how important it is, it can actually be pretty easy. In fact, trumpet vines can be pruned harshly without killing them. To help you feel good about cutting back a trumpet vine in your yard, we look at when and how to do it and get some advice from plant experts.
Trumpet vines need to be pruned because they can grow up to 30 feet in a year (credit: Getty for photos from Japan, Asia, and other places).
Trumpet vines (Campsis radicans) are fast-growing climbing vines that produce beautiful orange or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers during summer. They are able to quickly cover fences, arbors, and trellises with lush greenery and abundant blooms. However trumpet vines need regular pruning and cutting back to keep them under control and encourage more flowers. Knowing when to prune trumpet vines is key to maintaining a healthy plant.
Why Pruning Trumpet Vines is Essential
Trumpet vines grow vigorously and can easily get out of control without pruning. They spread rapidly via suckers that emerge from the roots and can damage structures they climb on. Pruning helps keep trumpet vines contained within their space and prevents breakage from overgrown stems It also promotes new growth and flowering by removing old wood. Pruning trumpet vines regularly is vital for the health and appearance of the plant
When is the Best Time to Prune Trumpet Vines
Trumpet vines bloom on the current season’s growth. The ideal time to prune them is late fall after they have gone dormant or early spring before new growth emerges. Pruning at these times avoids removing any developing flower buds. Some key times to prune trumpet vines are:
Fall
Pruning trumpet vines in fall just before the first frost is an excellent time. This allows you to cut back and shape the plant while it is dormant and leafless, making the process easier. Fall pruning removes old, dead growth and encourages the trumpet vine to produce new basal shoots and flowering stems in spring. Cutting trumpet vines back nearly to the ground in fall stimulates abundant new growth.
Early Spring
Pruning trumpet vines again in early spring as new growth appears allows you to select and preserve the strongest vines while eliminating unwanted shoots. Choose several of the healthiest stems to train along the support structure. Remove the rest at ground level. The selected vines will form the main framework from which flowers will emerge in summer.
After Flowering
You can do light pruning of trumpet vines after their flowering period in mid to late summer. This involves removing spent flower stems and trimming back wayward shoots. Avoid heavy pruning at this time, which can sacrifice flower buds developing for next year.
How to Prune Trumpet Vines
Here are some tips on how to cut back trumpet vines properly to encourage more blooms:
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Use sharp, clean pruners or loppers to make clean cuts and avoid disease transmission.
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To renew old plants, cut all stems back to 6-8 inches from the ground in fall after leaves drop.
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In spring, choose 3-4 strong new shoots to train as the main framework. Remove all other new growth at ground level.
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Trim back side shoots growing off the main vines to 2-3 buds to encourage more flowering stems.
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Remove any diseased or damaged growth as soon as you notice it.
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After flowering, prune back lateral shoots and remove spent flower stems.
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Cut suckers emerging from the roots to control spread.
What Happens if You Don’t Prune Trumpet Vines
Neglecting to prune trumpet vines can lead to some problems:
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Excessive growth becoming tangled and damaged. This can also weigh down and harm structures as the vines grow thicker each year.
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Reduced flowering since abundant side shoots and basal growth divert energy from flower production.
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Structural weakness from retaining too many old, thick stems which are prone to breaking.
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Damage to buildings, roofs, and other structures from uncontrolled spread.
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Invasiveness as suckers take root in unwanted areas. This can choke out other plants.
Training Young Trumpet Vines
Pruning is especially critical in the first 2-3 years after planting trumpet vines to establish a strong framework:
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Allow new shoots to grow through the first summer without pruning. This builds up vigor and root reserves.
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In fall after leaves drop, cut back all stems to 6 inches from the ground.
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The following spring, select 3-4 of the strongest new shoots and train them along the support structure. Remove all other shoots at ground level.
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Repeat for the first 2-3 years until a mature vine framework covers the allotted space.
Maintenance Pruning of Established Trumpet Vines
Once the main trumpet vine framework matures, switch to maintenance pruning each year:
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In early spring, trim back side shoots growing off the main vines to 2-3 buds. This encourages more flowering stems.
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Remove any dead, damaged or crossing stems. Also cut away suckers unless you want to propagate new plants.
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After flowering ends in summer, prune back lateral shoots and cut off spent flower stems.
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Do a final pruning in late fall, cutting back excessive growth to 6-8 inches.
Propagating Trumpet Vines Through Cuttings
The best time to take trumpet vine cuttings for propagation is June through August when growth is most active:
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Select ahealthy stem around 6 inches long and cut below a leaf node.
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Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. Dip in rooting hormone.
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Plant the cutting in moist potting mix, water well and cover with a plastic bag.
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Keep it in partial sun and check for rooting after 4-6 weeks by giving it a gentle tug.
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Once rooted, transplant it into a larger pot before planting outside the following spring.
Beautiful, Vigorous Bloomers
Trumpet vines are outstanding landscape plants that bloom throughout summer if pruned properly. Their abundant flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies to gardens. Just be sure to prune them at the right times to encourage vigorous growth and prolific flowering. With some effort and timely cutting back, trumpet vines will thrive and enhance any vertical space with their spectacular blossoms and lush foliage.
Is pruning a trumpet vine important?
By pruning trumpet vines, you can keep them from getting too big and stopping them from spreading in unwanted directions. In addition to keeping the flowering climber healthy, trimming it once a year will help it flower more and more.
How to prune a trumpet vine
Trumpet vines can be pruned back hard and will regrow ( credit: Getty s/IsabelleMorand)
People often cover a wall or fence in their backyards with trumpet vines, which grow quickly and can climb quickly. The vines are usually trained to climb a trellis, arbor, or wire frame. It can take a few years for a trumpet vine that has just been planted to build a strong framework of branches. The annual pruning starts once the vine is established after two or three years.
Amy Enfield says, “The key to keeping a trumpet vine in check starts the year after planting by letting only a few strong vines take root and cutting off the rest at the base of the plant.” ‘Once the vine is established, which can take a few growing seasons, then pruning becomes annual maintenance.
‘Annual pruning involves pruning the lateral branches coming off the main, established vines. In late winter/early spring they should be pruned back to 2-3 buds. ’.
Trumpet vines can tolerate heavy pruning, if they are overgrown or just need a rejuvenation. This kind of rough pruning can be used to keep plants that grow too quickly in check and even make them suitable for small backyards.
When it comes to pruning the plants back hard, Janet Loughrey of Garden Design recommends: ‘To rejuvenate mature plants, cut back all growth to 12 inches above the ground. New shoots will sprout from the main trunk.’
When the trumpet vine is pruned hard, it will send up new shoots from the base. You should keep and train two or three of the strongest branches while you cut off the rest. Trumpet vines are also notorious for sending out suckers at ground level that are best removed each year.
Janet Loughrey has been a full-time garden photographer and writer for 25 years. She lives and gardens in Portland, Oregon. Previously, Janet gardened in the Adirondack region of upstate New York where she grew up. Experiencing different climates has given Janet a greater appreciation of the gardening challenges they present.
Pruning A Red Trumpet Vine
How do you prune trumpet vines?
This pruning procedure is appropriate for newly planted trumpet vines and also for mature trumpet vines that need renovation. Your first job is to harden your heart to cutting trumpet vine plants in autumn. When you are cutting trumpet vine plants back, you can prune them off at ground level or leave up to 8 inches (20.5 cm.) of vine.
Do trumpet vines need to be cut back?
This process requires cutting trumpet vine plants back in the fall. The following spring, it’s time to select the best and the strongest vine shoots and prune back the rest. This pruning procedure is appropriate for newly planted trumpet vines and also for mature trumpet vines that need renovation.
When should you prune trumpet vines?
With the right pruning approach, trumpet vines thrive for decades, showcasing their bold seasonal floral displays. Time pruning to avoid accidentally removing developing flower buds: Prune repeatedly blooming varieties just after peak flowering ends in summer. For once-blooming types, prune immediately after flowering concludes.
When should you prune a vine?
In the second year, prune back any dead or damaged branches, which will encourage new growth and ensure your vine stays healthy. After that, prune your vine annually during the late winter or early spring to maintain its overall health and best possible growth.