Vines and Climbers

How to Grow Trumpet Vines (Campsis): A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Trumpet vines, also known as Campsis, are stunning climbing plants that add vibrant color and architectural interest to gardens. Their fiery red, orange, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers bloom profusely from late summer through autumn, creating a breathtaking spectacle. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about growing and caring for these beautiful plants.

Types of Trumpet Vines

There are several species and varieties of trumpet vines, each with its own unique characteristics:

• Campsis radicans: The most common type, known for its vigorous growth and large orange and red flowers. It is self-clinging, making it ideal for covering walls and other vertical surfaces.
• Campsis grandiflora: Less vigorous than C. radicans, but produces similar orange-red trumpet flowers. It requires tying in to supports as it is not self-clinging.
• Campsis radicans f. flava: A variety with showy golden-yellow flowers that has earned an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
• Campsis radicans ‘Flamenco’: A vigorous grower with clusters of scarlet flowers that create a dramatic backdrop for summer displays.
• Campsis x tagliabuana Indian Summer (‘Kudian’): A compact variety with dark green foliage and vivid orange flowers with red throats.
• Campsis x tagliabuana Summer Jazz Fire Trumpet (‘Takarazuka Fresa’): A dwarf variety ideal for containers, producing dazzling orange-red trumpet flowers in a smaller space.

Choosing a Planting Site

Trumpet vines prefer warm, sheltered conditions with full sun or light shade. They need a sturdy support to climb on, such as a wall, fence, or trellis. Avoid planting them in areas that are prone to frost or waterlogging.

Planting and Care

• Planting: Plant trumpet vines in spring or early autumn in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth. Remove the plant from its pot and gently tease out the roots. Place the plant in the hole and fill in around it, firming the soil around the base. Water thoroughly.
• Watering: Water your trumpet vine regularly during the first year, especially during dry periods. Established plants are drought tolerant, but will benefit from occasional watering.
• Fertilizing: Feed your trumpet vine with a high potassium liquid feed, such as tomato fertilizer or homemade comfrey tea, to encourage flowering.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your trumpet vine once a year to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Pruning and Training

• Formative pruning: After planting, cut stems back to 15cm above the ground to encourage new growth. Tie two or three of the strongest shoots into the support structure and remove the rest.
• Spur pruning: In subsequent years, spur-prune the sideshoots back to within two or three buds of the permanent framework in late winter or early spring.
• Hard pruning: If your trumpet vine has become overgrown, you can cut all stems back to 30cm from the base in February or March. Train the new growth as you would a new plant.

Propagation

Trumpet vines can be propagated by layering, taking cuttings, or sowing seeds:

• Layering: Bend a flexible young stem to the ground and nick it with secateurs to encourage rooting. Pin it into the soil and water. Once roots develop, you can cut the new plant free of the parent and pot it up.
• Cuttings: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn.
• Seeds: Sow seeds into seed compost in autumn and place in a cold frame. Seeds should germinate in spring after a period of cold winter temperatures.

Pests and Diseases

Trumpet vines are generally pest- and disease-free, but can be affected by:

• Aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects: These pests can damage the foliage, but outbreaks are usually not serious.
• Powdery mildew: A fungal disease that causes white patches on the leaves. It is rarely a significant problem.

Additional Tips

• Choose a variety that matches the size and color scheme of your garden.
• If you are growing a trumpet vine in a pot, choose a compact variety and provide a sturdy support.
• Take precautions if you live in a dry region or near an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as trumpet vines are highly flammable.
• Keep your trumpet vine well-watered during dry periods, especially during the first year after planting.
• Prune regularly to control the spread of the vine and encourage flowering.
• Propagate your trumpet vine to create new plants and share with friends and family.