Making a Case For Trumpet Vine

A trumpet vine is so named because of the beautiful, bright orange colored, trumpet shaped flowers it is capable of bearing.  This is quite uncanny considering the fact that this kind of vine is woody.  It is predominantly brown most of the time, as its stems far outnumber its leaves.

This distinctive color, however, is what endears trumpet vine to garden enthusiasts and home exteriors designers the world over.  The old brown color, one it spreads across the façade of your edifice, would work perfectly for some desired effects.  The fact that this kind of vine is hardy and could withstand both hot and cold climates is a definite plus for such an ornamental purpose.

A trumpet vine can grow as high as 50 to 60 feet.  That's 50 to 60 feet of brown color scheme covering up your wall.  It will save a lot of paint, and it will save a whole lot more in terms of aesthetic supplies.

There are two kinds of vine of this variety.  Campsis Radicans are the ones you would usually encounter in the northern part of the mainland.  They are the sturdy kind that grows those orange, trumpet-like flowers.  The other kind, on the other hand, Campsis Grandiflora, actually produce more attractive fish-shaped, bright reddish blooms.  They are less sturdy than the Campsis Radicans, however, as they aren't known to withstand very cold weathers.

These vines can live up to 27 years.  Yes - they are that hardy!  All they need for good health, like most vine varieties, is a good amount of sunlight.  Pruning can be done annually, with much ease at that, at least when compared to the pruning requirements of other kinds of vines.  Since trumpets stick to the walls, all you have to do is to trim the excesses that don't attach themselves to the said surface.  Do your pruning come the first weeks of winter, when the leaves have fallen.  This would leave the stems, and will make your job even easier.

If there's one thing about trumpet vines that could drive you crazy, it's the fact that they're overly reproductive.  They keep dropping off sprouts left and right.  One or two of these vines would be enough to cover you walls, you won't need more of them.  Regular sweeping around the perimeters of the vine is essential to prevent the unwanted growth of these vines.   As for the sprouts that have managed to grow some roots, they have to be pulled out at the soonest possible time.