Many a year went by before considering
planting Trumpet Vine (bignoniaceous plant of the genus Campsis). Although this is a bright productive vine and is
always a lovely site sometimes it can really be a nuisance. This
perennial will grow on walls or trellis up to thirty-nine feet with a
heavy woody tree like stems. Sometimes, one could believe it was the
vine in Jack and the Beanstalk since the flowers produce seed pods ten
to fifteen centimeters or four to six inches long. The flowers are a
bright orange to red color and they are seven to ten centimeters, or two
to four inches long.
The plant is native to America and grows
from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, Florida and on, to Texas. It prefers
moist well-drained soil. However, it will grow in the poorest of soil.
It can withstand drought and if it has a heavy trellis it will withstand
wind as well.
A trumpet vine is no longer recommended
as a landscape plant because it is so aggressive. It has aerial roots
which will cling like super glue. These roots can cause damage to brick
mortar and to the roof of a house. These recommendations could be set
aside in a new housing district where there are no shade trees. This
plant grows rapidly and with a tall trellis it will give shade quickly.
One must just consider the thought of having to get rid of it which is
sometimes difficult.
Hummingbirds as well as ants love the
trumpet shaped blossoms. Butterflies also are attracted to the plant.
For years we tried every plant on this
one particular area of the hillside. Nothing would grow well there.
Since the drive is close to this strip, water running off the hill gives
no place for anything to thrive. We finally made the decision to try
this trumpet vine. As you can see from the picture, it certainly is
happy here. Probably, we will plant them along this fence. Eventually,
the vine will fill in the fence line anyway. The drive to the side of
the vine will keep it contained. Across the fence the neighbor also has
his drive there. |
