Trumpet Vine

Campsis radicans

flower

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a vigorous, woody, deciduous vine native to the central and eastern United States that climbs 30 to 40 ft by clinging aerial rootlets. All summer it bears clusters of large, orange-red trumpet flowers that are a magnet for hummingbirds. It is rugged, fast, and easy almost anywhere, but that vigor is also its drawback: it suckers profusely from underground runners and self-seeds freely, so it can overwhelm a small space and must be sited and controlled with that in mind.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Clematis — A less aggressive vine that can share a large structure for layered bloom
• Honeysuckle — Another hummingbird vine with similar vigor for a wildlife screen
• Coneflower — A sturdy perennial at the base that draws additional pollinators

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Few serious pests

  Trumpet vine has no significant insect or disease problems; the real challenge is restraining its growth

• Powdery mildew →

  White film in crowded, shady spots; give sun and airflow

• Scale →

  Bumps on stems with sooty mold; prune out heavy infestations and conserve natural enemies

🌸 Blooms & cutting

Trumpet vine is grown for its flowers and hummingbird value, not harvest. The key seasonal work is control: prune hard in early spring to shape and limit size, since it flowers on new wood, and through the season remove root suckers and clip off the long seedpods before they scatter seed. Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Trumpet vine is an ornamental, not edible. Its value is fast, bold summer color and an outstanding nectar source for hummingbirds and bees. It is native but aggressive, so give it a strong support and firm control rather than a small garden. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact form is not shown.

⚠️ Toxicity & safety

Trumpet vine causes low toxicity if eaten, and contact with the leaves or sap can cause minor skin irritation with redness and swelling - the reason for its old name cow-itch vine. Wear gloves when pruning. Keep it from being eaten in quantity by children or pets, though serious poisoning is uncommon.