This week: Native Trumpet Vine—pest or problem-solver?
Hello!
I confess that I am not a fan of vines. Every time I consider intentionally planting one, I think of all the time I spend pulling invasive English ivy, bindweed, mile-a-minute, honeysuckle, vinca, and out-of-control grapevine from the edges of my yard. Even when a vine is native, I worry it will go bananas and invade the whole neighborhood.
This is the exact problem with our native Trumpet Vine, Campsis radicans.
It blooms prolifically throughout the summer with clusters of gorgeous horn-shaped red and orange flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its green foliage is also spectacular at covering things up because it grows as long as 40 feet.
However, it also grows extremely fast, and grabs onto structures with aerial rootlets. This type of root system is well-known for damaging wood and masonry. Trumpet Vine also reproduces by seed and rhizome, making it an aggressive spreader—so much so that famed horticulturalist Michael Dirr has been quoted as saying that it grows so quickly that you shouldn’t stand next to it for too long. Yikes.
So why use this native vine in the home landscape? Because it is perfect for covering up ugly things! In my neighborhood, a homeowner has used it to successfully hide a 10-foot chain link fence that separates their backyard from a commuter platform and train tracks. In a local park, I spotted Trumpet Vine growing up a tree snag. In that instance, the dead or dying tree provides habitat for critters while the vine provides food for pollinators and birds. You can also use it as a rambling ground cover in places where it is hard to grow other plants, like over building rubble and rock piles.
If you’re considering planting Trumpet Vine, keep the following in mind:
- Do not plant it near important structures like your house or garage, lest it invade or cause damage to siding, brickwork, and gutters.
- This vine is heavy! If you’re using it on an arbor, pergola, or anything you’re planning to walk or sit under, make sure your structure is stable and weight-bearing.
- Plant it where you can easily maintain it and control its size with pruners, hand-pulling, and by regularly mowing around it to stunt the growth of new shoots. This is not a plant-and-ignore type of vine.
Remember, Trumpet Vine can be both a problem solver and a problem starter!
Elsewhere:
Savvy Gardening offers tips to create a water-wise garden—some great advice if you're despairing your brown lawn!
Have a great week!
Julie