Chinese trumpet vine.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous vine

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

30 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 7 to 9

Bloom time

Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Provide a sturdy support structure because this vine gets quite heavy as it matures. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. Prune back hard in late winter to keep its size in check and encourage more blooms.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy during the active growing season.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.

Pruning

Cut back the previous year's growth in late winter to promote vigorous flowering.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-15 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 plus years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

Contact with the foliage can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs, though ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.

Children

Keep children away from the sap as it can cause skin irritation, and discourage them from eating the seed pods.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis upon contact.

Airborne allergens

Pollen is not typically a major allergen but can be bothersome to some people.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

• Large orange to red trumpet flowers
• Pinnately compound dark green leaves
• Aerial rootlets for climbing support
• Deciduous woody vine habit

Height

3 to 9m

Spread

2 to 4m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

orange, red, 5 to 8cm

Fruit

brown, autumn

Problems to watch for

• Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant juices.
• Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that appears as white dusty spots on leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, layering, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In colder regions, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from freezing. If in a container, move it to a sheltered, unheated area.

In containers

It can grow in a large container, but it will require a very large pot and frequent pruning to keep it manageable.

Plant at the base of a very sturdy structure, as this vine becomes quite heavy over time.

Grows well with

• Clematis · They share similar light and support requirements.
• Wisteria · Both are vigorous climbers that create a lush vertical display.

Similar species

• American Trumpet Vine · A much more aggressive relative that is often confused with this species.

Science

Family

Bignoniaceae

Genus

Campsis

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern Asia, specifically China and Japan.

Conservation

Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in sunny woodland edges where it can climb trees to reach the canopy light.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental climber, wall cover, trellis plant

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it needs a sturdy support structure to climb effectively.

How do I prune it?

Prune back the previous year's growth in early spring to encourage more flowers.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Campsis comes from the Greek word for curve, referring to the curved stamens, while grandiflora means large flowered.

Good to know

• It has only a few aerial rootlets, fewer than its American cousin, so it usually needs tying in to a support.
• The flowers are shaped like trumpets to accommodate hummingbirds.
• It is a popular choice for covering pergolas in warm climates.