Campsis grandiflora

Campsis grandiflora, also known as the trumpet vine, is a stunning deciduous Chinese species with spectacular summer flowering.  This deciduous climbing plant reaches several metres with its vigorous woody climbing stems equipped with a few aerial roots that allow it to cling to a wall, much like ivy. The flowering lasts at least 3 months, in the form of large pendulous panicles composed of wide flared trumpets in a very bright orange-red shade.  These become more apricot over time. Campsis is not the most cold-resistant, but it adapts well to any ordinary soil and shows very rapid growth. With its heavy flowering, the plant should be trained and protected from wind that damages flowers and leaves. The climbing roots are sometimes too few on the branches to ensure proper anchoring of this trumpet creeper to fully support it.

Campsis grandiflora is a plant from the Bignoniaceae family, native to southeastern China and Japan. Introduced to France around 1800, this fast-growing deciduous climber has a bushy habit that allows it to reach 6 to 8 m (20 to 26ft) in all directions in just a few years. Its growth, however, is easily controlled by regular pruning in winter, which does not compromise flowering. The plant has a woody stump and produces fairly shallow roots. The abundant and spectacular flowering occurs after a few years of cultivation, on the young shoots. It can begin in July in mild climates, but usually begins in August and lasts until October. The large flowers bloom in the axils of the leaves, in pendulous clusters of 4 to 12 funnel-shaped flowers, 10 cm (4in) long, flaring widely into 5 lobes. Each flower opens in a very bright orange-red colour, evolving to a soft apricot shade at maturity. Each flower has a beautiful striated yellow throat where long arched stamens nest. The flowering is followed by the formation of brown pods that remain on the plant for a long time before releasing flat and winged seeds, dispersed by the wind. The deciduous foliage is composed of finely divided leaves with 7 to 9 ovate leaflets with serrated edges. It is the branches equipped with a few aerial roots that allow the plant to cling to its support.

Campsis grandiflora can be used anywhere, to cover a wall sheltered from cold winds, an unsightly building, an exposed facade, a fence, or an old wall. This very tolerant plant can withstand short frosts down to -15°C (5°F), in well-drained soil and in a sheltered position. You can associate it, for example, with other unique climbing plants such as Akebia quinata, Actinidia kolomikta, Holboellia latifolia, or the Clematis H F Young, which is very blue, to create a colourful scene.