Trumpetcreeper is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine native to the southeastern U.S. that has naturalized across much of the country. This multi-stemmed climber produces showy orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers from July through August, drawing hummingbirds and other pollinators to gardens and wild spaces alike. Hardy from zones 4 to 9, it grows 25 to 40 feet tall and spreads 5 to 10 feet wide, clinging to structures through aerial rootlets. The real challenge isn't getting it to grow, it's keeping this aggressive spreader under control once established.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-9
480in H x 120in W
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High
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Trumpetcreeper blooms on new growth, meaning your early spring pruning won't sacrifice flowers; cut it back hard and it'll still put on a spectacular summer show. It tolerates clay soil, drought, and deer browsing with equal aplomb, thriving in lean to average soils where other vines struggle. The aerial rootlets that allow it to climb also make it a structural commitment: mature plants produce considerable weight, so sturdy trellises and pergolas aren't optional. Hummingbirds arrive in force when those trumpet flowers open, making this a living bird feeder that requires no maintenance once established.
Trumpetcreeper is grown to naturalize wild areas and create living screens on sturdy structures like pergolas, fences, and arbors. Its aggressive growth and vigorous spread make it particularly valuable for quickly covering bare walls or transforming neglected spaces into vibrant displays of flowers. Hummingbirds and other pollinators visit the blooms throughout summer, drawing wildlife to gardens that include this vine.
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Prune trumpetcreeper hard in early spring to maintain shape and control its vigorous, aggressive spread. Because this vine blooms on new growth, spring pruning actually encourages flowering rather than reducing it. Regular pruning is essential for containment; without it, the vine will sucker prolifically and spread beyond its intended boundaries.
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“Campsis radicans is native to the southeastern United States, including Missouri's Ozark region, where it has grown wild in woods, thickets, fields, and along streams and roadsides for centuries. From its southeastern origins, it has naturalized throughout northern states, spreading well beyond its native range. The vine's common names, trumpet vine and trumpet creeper, reflect both its distinctive flower shape and its method of climbing, which relies on aerial rootlets rather than tendrils or twining stems.”