Flowering Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

The Trumpet vine is a vigorous flowering vine with trumpet shaped, orange-scarlet flowers, and aerial roots that cling to a wall or some other support. The trumpet vine will push back other plants if in an open area, but usually flowers on south facing walls, making it ideal to shade a house from the sun.

Growing Trumpet Vines

Trumpet vines grow best in an openly sunny location and in fertile soils. A climbing vine, the trumpet vine can achieve a size reaching up to 10-15" tall and 4-5" wide. The trumpet vine is a fast growing vine, which can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how dedicated you are to pruning. A definite advantage of the Trumpet vine is its lustrous dark green leaves, making it one of the prettiest ornamental vines. The flowering trumpet vine has a beautiful scent, and is used principally for decorating fences and trellises.

Trumpet vines have no major pest or disease problems and will grow in almost any site. However, because of its tolerance of harsh environments and its rapid growth rate, it can be extremely invasive. Prune vigorously to keep the trumpet vines growth under control.

Trumpet Vine: Madam Galen (Campsis radicans)

The Madam Galen variety of the Trumpet vine is fast growing and easily established, providing a continual display of deep orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers from early summer to wintertime.

Madam Galen vines make an effective screen or accent for walls and fence lines, as well as an excellent ground cover. These climbing vines can grow up to 20-30" if given well-built support, and thrive in average, medium-wet, well-drained soil. The flowering Madam Galen vine prefers the full sun (as does the Trumpet vine) yet can manage in partial shade if necessary.

As with the Trumpet vine, Madam Galen can become intrusive if left to its own devices. Prune as needed to keep foliage growth within intended boundaries and propagate with softwood cuttings. Few plants will cover an area as rapidly as the Trumpet vine, a quality which can be of great advantage in a new landscape site if a sense of garden maturity is desired quickly.