Practical
Plants

Campsis grandiflora

Trumpet Creeper

a deciduous member of the Campsis genus in the family Bignoniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Campsis
Foliage
deciduous
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
9 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers and the whole plant are blood tonic, carminative, depurative diuretic and febrifuge[2][4][9]. They are used in the treatment of women's complaints[2][4]. A decoction of the flowers is used to correct menstrual disorders, rheumatoid pains, traumatic injuries, difficult urination, pruritis and oozing dermaphytoses[2][9].

Product or use
Blood tonic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Women's complaints

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be allowed to scramble on the ground and will form an effective ground cover, rooting at intervals along the branches[8]. They should be planted about 2.5 metres apart each way[8].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber, Soil surface

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. China, Japan.
Habitat
Hillsides and roadsides in China[2]. Climbs into trees and grows on rocks[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse at 10°c. Two months stratification at 5°c assists germination[6]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long, July/August in a frame. Slow to root but a fair percentage[13][6]. Root cuttings 5cm long in December. Fair to good percentage[13]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[7]. Layering in winter[5]. Plants often self-layer[11].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in a good well-drained loam[1][6] and a very sunny position[3] or light shade[6]. Tolerates moderately alkaline or moderately acid soils[7]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -10°c[6], though they require a sunny sheltered wall or hot summers if they are to flower well[1][3]. The fresh young growth in spring is often damaged by late frosts[8]. Plants can take some years to settle down before they start to flower[7]. They climb by means of aerial roots but need to be supported[1][3]. Another report says that this species does not produce aerial roots[10]. Plants can be pruned like grapes (Vitis spp.)[1] and any pruning is best done in the spring[5]. The sub-species C. grandiflora thunbergii tolerates saline winds[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[6].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  10. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2

  12. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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