Campsis radicans
An aggressive, fast-growing woody climber native to eastern North America that clings with aerial rootlets, bears bright orange to red trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees, can reach 30–40 feet, and may become invasive outside its native range if not regularly pruned or contained.
Common Names
Common names (ordered by most common usage): Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, Hummingbird Vine, Cow Itch Vine, Trumpet Climber, Trumpet Honeysuckle
Summary
Campsis radicans, commonly called trumpet vine or trumpet creeper, is a native woody, deciduous climber from eastern North America. It is fast-growing and self-clinging, reaching 30–40 feet in height with a 4–10 foot spread, and it climbs surfaces with aerial roots. Distinctive features include large trumpet-shaped flowers in orange to red (sometimes yellow) arranged in clusters, blooming in summer; pinnate leaves with 7–11 leaflets and nectar-rich blooms that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, while the plant forms dense growth useful for rapid vertical color and habitat for wildlife. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils but tolerates a wide range of soils and drought once established; hardy in USDA zones 4–9. It is an aggressive, vigorous spreader that requires sturdy support and regular pruning to control growth; planting near structures or using containment is advised. In landscape use, it provides rapid screening on trellises, fences, walls, or arbors, offers nectar to hummingbirds and other pollinators, and adds seasonal color, though handling sap can cause skin irritation.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
30-40 feet
Spread
8-10 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-9
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Orange to red
Bloom Time
Summer and Fall
Foliage Color
Dark green
Fall Foliage Color
Yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast-growing
Seasons of Interest
Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Suckers
Attracts Wildlife
Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (L.) Bureau
- Publication
- Monogr. Bignon. 2(Atlas): 16 (1864)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
- Genus
- Campsis
Synonyms
Bignonia radicans var. coccinea Bignonia radicans var. flammea Bignonia radicans var. minor Campsis radicans var. praecox Tecoma radicans Tecoma radicans var. minor Bignonia coccinea Bignonia florida Bignonia radicans Campsis curtisii Gelseminum radicans Tecoma atrosanguineum Tecoma flavaspeciosa Bignonia radicans var. praecox Campsis radicans var. aurea Tecoma radicans var. lutea Tecoma radicans unr. major Campsis radicans f. flava Bignonia radicans var. lutea Campsis radicans f. minor Campsis radicans var. speciosa Campsis radicans f. praecox Campsis radicans f. aurea Tecoma speciosa Bignonia radicans var. flava Tecoma radicans var. speciosa Tecoma radicans var. praecox