Scientific: Bignonia capreolata
Common: crossvine, trumpet flower
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: southestern United States from Maryland to central Texas
Pronounciation: Big-NO-nee-a ca-pree-o-LA-ta
Hardiness zones
Sunset 8-24
USDA 6-11
Landscape Use: Flowering accent, trellis, arbors, patio overhangs, wall cover (both green and cooling walls).
Form & Character: Vigorously vining, vibrant, tough, wirey, and colorful.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, perennial semi-woody vine, twining by tendrils to 30 feet, needs structural support to climb, sprouts from base.
Foliage/Texture: Opposite, compound leaves (trifoliate), two somewhat thick and leathery leaflets that are 3 to 6 inches in length and 2-inches wide with a protruding long slender branched tendril in between the two leaflets instead of a third leaflet; medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Reddish orange, tubular trumpet flowers, usually in clusters, petals fused, corolla yellow; fruits are indehiscent, sharply elongated, brown capsules (4- to 8-inches long) containing many flat-winged seeds.
Seasonal Color: Flowers during winter and early spring.
Temperature: Hardy
Light: Full sun to partial sun, but no full shade.
Soil: Tolerant
Watering: Needs consistent supplemental water.
Pruning: Limited pruning, only to control spread, especially of basal sprouts.
Propagation: Stem cuttings
Disease and Pests: None
Additional comments: Crossvine is a seldom seen, wonderful vine that I think should be incorporated more into Phoenix landscapes. There are several named cultivated varieties such as 'Tangerine Beauty' (flowers that are completely tangerine orange in color).