Scientific: Bignonia capreolata (Synonyms: Anisostichus capreolata, Batocydia capreolata, Doxantha capreolata)
Common: crossvine, trumpet flower
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: southestern United States from Maryland to central Texas
Pronounciation: Big-NO-nee-uh ca-pree-oh-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, moderately aggressive, twining by tendrils to 30 feet, needs structural support to climb, sprouts from base.
Foliage/Texture: Opposite, compound leaves, two somewhat thick and leathery leaflets that are 3- to 6-inches long 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, sometimes fragrant like mocha; 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: Cold hardy, heat tolerant to 115oF.
Light: Full sun to partial sun, but no full shade.
Soil: Tolerant, but prefers an organically rich, well-drained soil.
Watering: Needs consistent supplemental water, especially during summer.
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).
Taxonomic factoids: The genus Bignonia is named after Jean-Paul Bignon (1662-1743), a French ecclesiastic, statesman, writer, preacher and librarian to Louis XIV of France. The specific epithet capreolata means “having tendrils.” The common name refers to the cross-shaped pattern revealed when the stem is cut. This pattern results from four radial wedges of phloem embedded within the stem's xylem. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Bignonia capreolata shares a close relationship with Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper).
