Return to Library Home Page


Scientific: Campsis radicans (Synonyms: Bignonia radicans, Tecoma radicans)
Common: trumpet creeper, trumpet vine, American trumpet vine, cow itch, cow vine, hellvine
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: Eastern United States

Pronounciation: KAMP-sis RA-di-cans

Hardiness zones
Sunset
11-16, 18-23 (coastal zone 17 with a warm exposure)
USDA 4-11

Landscape Use: Seasonal accent, arbor, screen, wall cover, architectural green walls (no western exposures in Phoenix).

Form & Character: Aggressive vine, lush and tropical when in leaf and festive when in bloom.

Growth Habit: Deciduous, woody, broadleaf perennial vine, vigorous and trailing to 35 feet in length.

Foliage/Texture: Leaves dark green, fine hairs on abaxial (leaf underside) mid-vein, opposite, glabrous, odd pinnately compound to 12-inches long, stems produce aerial roots for attachment, stipules present as tufts of hair; medium coarse texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Large tubular reddish orange flowers to 3-inches across in terminal panicles of 3-flowered dichasial cymes, 8 to 15 flowers per cyme; fruits are elongated pods producing winged seeds.

Seasonal Color: Festive reddish orange tubular flowers in early summer.

Temperature: Heat loving and cold tolerant.

Light: Full sun

Soil: Tolerant

Watering: Irrigate regularly in Phoenix.

Pruning: Trumpet creeper might need pruning to control spread, though tendency to become overly aggressive is less in Phoenix than in more temperate climates.

Propagation: Seed (stratify for 30 to 60 days at 40o to 50oF) or semi-hardwood cuttings.

Disease and Pests: None

Additional comments: Trumpet creeper is seldom seen in Phoenix landscapes, though it grows surprisingly well in desert conditions if irrigated sufficiently. Attracts hummingbirds. Leaves may cause dermatitis.

Another recommendation: One more Campis vine to take note of for use in Phoenix landscapes is Campsis x tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'. This is a hybrid cross between Campis radicans and Campis grandiflora dating back to 1889 in Milan, Italy.