Practical
Plants

Campsis radicans

Trumpet Vine

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
12 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

There have been isolated cases reported of people suffering from dermatitis after handling the leaves[10].

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 root is diaphoretic and vulnerary[12][9].

Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

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

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[5]. They 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
Southeast N. America - Florida to Texas and north to New Jersey and Michigan..
Habitat
Low woods and thickets[11]. An aggressive weed of arable fields[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
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]. Suckers, removed in the dormant season.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds on a warm wall in a good loamy soil[1] in full sun[3] or light shade[6]. Plants can become rampant when growing in rich soils[6]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -20°c according to some reports[4][6] whilst another says that it is not hardy in all parts of the country but it succeeds in more open positions such as a pergola or an old tree in the southern part of England[1]. Plants require the extra warmth of a sunny wall to induce better flowering[4]. Plants are self-clinging by aerial roots like ivy but are best if given some support[1][3]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[5]. The seed only ripens outdoors in Britain in hot summers[2]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[7]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  10. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

  11. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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