Campsis radicans is a woody vine belongs to Bignoniaceae (Trumpet Creeper) family, commonly called Trumpet Vine or Trumpet Creeper. It is a dense, vigorous, multi-stemmed, deciduous, woody, clinging vine that attaches itself to structures and climbs by aerial rootlets. It is native to the southeastern U. S. including Missouri, but has naturalized in many northern states of U.S. Genus name comes from the Greek word kampe meaning bent in reference to the bent stamens on plant flowers. Specific epithet radicans means having rooting stems.

Trumpet Vine very vigorous and reach the height of 6-10 m, climbing by aerial roots. Young shoots are green; the stems that are more than one year old are covered with pale brown, peeling bark. Old specimens may reach 10-20 cm in diameter at the base. Campsis radicans start its growing season in late spring. Green leaves are opposite, pinnate compound, and reach up to 40 cm in length. They are composed of 7-11 coarsely toothed leaflets 3-10 cm long. In autumn leaves, turn yellow and fall.

Trumpet Vine flowers in hues of orange, red and yellow depends of the variety. Bell shaped flowers reach 6-10 cm in length. They appear from June to October in clusters of 4-12 blossoms at the tips of same year’s horizontal shoots. The fruits are 10-20 cm long bean like pods, which split open when ripe releasing winged seed.

Campsis radicans is not particular about soil. Best, it should be planted in good drained soils with regular moisture in full sun to part shade. Foliage grows well in shade, but plants need good sun for best flowering. The problem with this plant is usually not how to grow it but how to restrain it. They sucker profusely from underground runners and freely self-seed, often forming impenetrable colonies in the wild which can choke out many plants that get in their way.

Trumpet Vine is a hardy plant, once it’s taken root and formed a sturdy base, it will tolerate drying soil and seasonal changes in soil salinity and moisture levels. Also withstand severe freeze up to -30˚C. The stems can freeze during harsh winters, but in spring new shoots sprout from the base of the plant, and quickly cover the supports. Campsis radicans is disease and pest resistant, in certain conditions it may be prone to the powdery mildew attack, as well as to aphids and red spiders. Propagation may be done either by seed or dividing aerial rooted branches. The plants obtained by vegetative reproduction normally start blooming in the second or third year after planting. When grown from seeds, blooming will take longer.

Varieties of Trumpet Vine: Flamenco large, intensely red flowers, Flava yellow flowers less robust than the rest of the cultivars, Gabor  dark red flowers, borne abundantly for a long time, Judy  striking yellow flowers, the inside of the trumpet is orange, Ursynów vividly orange flowers with large leaves.

Campsis x tagliabuana: A hybrid species between Campsis grandiflora and Campsis radicans. It’s less vigorous than Campsis radicans, attains the height of 4 m, but its flowers are more attractive, bigger and have more flared coronas.

Campsis radicans should not planted near a house or any other building, as it is an aggressive grower and climber, can damage siding and shingles. During the first two years after planting, until it’s has spread out and strengthened, it’s good to provide a support and, in winter, to protect the base of the plant against the cold. Straight after planting, all shoots should be cut at about 15 cm from the ground to encourage branching. Basic pruning is best carried out in spring. Hard pruning hinders growth and encourages flowering. All the parts of the plant are slightly toxic and its juice can cause skin irritation in people allergic to it. The pollen may also cause an allergic response.

Use in Landscape: Campsis radicans provides quick cover for fences, arbors, trellises, walls or other structures. Trumpet creepers are best suited for covering walls, but can also be grown over a fence, a pergola, an arbour or any other kind of support. It may also climb up a tree trunk as long as it is in full sun. It can attract hummingbirds. Trumpet Vine can also be used in sunny urban open spaces. It can efficiently mask unsightly constructions, creating screens, covering noise barriers, piles of stones, concrete constructions.