Red trumpet vines are climbing vines known for their beautiful, trumpet-shaped red flowers that bloom throughout the summer With their showy blooms and vigorous growth habit, these vines can make a stunning addition to gardens and landscapes when properly managed
Overview of Red Trumpet Vines
Red trumpet vines belong to the genus Campsis and are also commonly known as trumpet creepers. There are a few species but the most popular include
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Campsis radicans – The common red trumpet vine native to eastern and central North America. It has glossy, compound leaves and large, orange-red trumpet flowers up to 3 inches long that bloom from early summer into fall.
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Campsis x tagliabuana – A hybrid between C. radicans and C. grandiflora from China. It has brilliant red trumpets and is more cold hardy.
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Campsis grandiflora – The Chinese trumpet vine with big, orange-red trumpets. Not as hardy as C. radicans.
These vines that lose their leaves in the fall can get very long—up to 30 to 40 feet. They get up by using aerial rootlets that stick to surfaces. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Growing Red Trumpet Vines
Red trumpet vines grow best in full sun for optimal flowering. They can tolerate partial shade but will have reduced blooms. These vines thrive in average garden soils with good drainage. Excellent drainage is key.
Provide a sturdy support structure for the vines to climb such as a trellis, arbor or fence. Do not allow them to climb up the sides of a building or they can damage surfaces and roofing.
Plant trumpet vines in the spring after the last frost. Water new plantings regularly until established. Mature vines are quite drought tolerant. Don’t use too much fertilizer, as it can make the leaves grow quickly at the expense of the flowers. Every year in late winter, before new growth starts, cut back the vines.
Controlling Their Spread
Red trumpet vines are pretty, but they can spread quickly if you don’t stop them. They quickly take over gardens with shoots that grow from roots that are buried. Here are some tips to prevent them from spreading:
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Prune out any unwanted suckers as soon as you see them to prevent new plants from forming
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Cut off spent flower heads before seed pods can form to prevent reseeding
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Plant in containers sunk into the ground or within barriers to contain their spread
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Consider less aggressive cross varieties like C. x tagliabuana
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Remove vines completely if they become too invasive
Spectacular Red Trumpet Vines
If properly sited and managed, red trumpet vines can be a wonderful addition to gardens. Some tips for enjoying their beauty:
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Grow them on a strong arbor or trellis as a focal point
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Plant near patios and decks where their flowers can be enjoyed up close
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Grow up fences or along banks to create vertical interest
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Attract hummingbirds by pairing them with other tubular flowers
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Choose a vigorous cultivar like ‘Flamenco’ for prolific flowering
So give red trumpet vines a try in your landscape! Just be sure to provide good growing conditions and prune diligently to keep their enthusiastic growth in check. With a little effort, you can enjoy their vivid red blooms without them taking over your garden.
Pruning
It is almost impossible to prune this vigorous plant too much. Trumpet vines bloom on new stems, so prune early in the spring before growth starts. Cut the plant back to nearly ground level, leaving only a few buds. It is also okay to cut back in late autumn after the leaves have dried and fallen. This kind of aggressive annual pruning is the best way to keep the plant in check.
Vines can also be cut back throughout the season although you may be sacrificing a few blooms. If you want the vine to grow on a building like a garage or shed, hang wire across the top of it. Because the trumpet vine has something to attach to, it’s easier to do the pruning you need to do during the growing season.
Propagating Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine can be reproduced by many methods, but the easiest way is to transplant runners. These vines are such vigorous growers that the process is extremely easy.
- Locate a new runner emerging from the soil.
- Cut the runner.
- Transplant it to a new location.
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FAQ
What are the red trumpet-shaped flowers called?
Brugmansia sanguinea, or “Red Angel’s Trumpet,” is a very hardy tropical shrub or small tree with beautiful blooms that hang down and are shaped like trumpets and are 6 to 10 inches across.
What climbing plant has red trumpet like flowers?
Trumpet vines, commonly referred to by their botanical name Campsis, are deciduous woody climbers with spectacular red, orange or yellow tubular flowers that bloom from late summer through to autumn.
What are the trumpet-shaped flowers on the vine?
Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is a high-climbing woody vine so named because its showy flowers are trumpet-shaped. It is found in moist woodlands and thickets throughout Central and northern Florida. Flowers bloom year-round, peaking in spring and summer. They are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Is red trumpet vine invasive?
Trumpet creeper is an invasive weed.