Campsis radicans Atropurpurea

Campsis radicans 'Atropurpurea' is a beautiful form of this robust climbing plant with reddish-purple flowers, also known as Trumpet Vine because of the shape of its flowers and its North American origins. Its clusters of radiant flowers bloom throughout the summer, on a deciduous foliage divided into small toothed leaflets that are elegant. Very easy to grow in all regions, this Campsis also has the advantage of self-clinging to its support, like ivy, which makes it very useful for covering a wall or reviving a dead tree, for example.

Campsis radicans, part of the Bignoniaceae family, is native to the state of Virginia in the southeastern United States, specifically in a geographic area covering Missouri, Texas, and Virginia. In nature, it is found in wooded areas. It is not prone to diseases or pests and tolerates cold, heat, and drought once well established. It is undemanding in terms of soil, as long as it is deep enough to accommodate its well-developed root system.

It is a shrub with slightly suckering roots, robust and vigorous, capable of growing up to 1m per year under good conditions. When mature, Campsis Atropurpurea (also known as Atrosanguinea) reaches a height of about 6m (20 feet) with a width of 4m (13 feet). The long branches bear leaves divided into 7 to 11 lanceolate leaflets, 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) long, with toothed edges and a vibrant green colour. The foliage turns golden yellow in autumn before falling. The stems produce very short and dense adventitious roots that allow the plant to attach itself to a tree or wall. Flowering occurs from July to September, on the current year's growth. It takes the form of terminal clusters (or cymes) consisting of 4 to 12 dark red flowers in the shape of long trumpets. Each flower is composed of a long tubular calyx that widens into 5 lobes, revealing a prominent pistil. After being pollinated by insects, the flowers are followed by brown pod-shaped fruits containing a large number of small winged seeds that will be dispersed by the wind. With age, the copper-brown bark covering the branches peels off in flakes.

Campsis radicans Atropurpurea is a good wall covering plant in sunny positions, a lovely camouflage for fences and structures, and can also be grown in large pots to beautify patios and balconies. For example, you can combine it with other unique climbing plants such as Akebia quinata Silver Bells, Actinidia kolomikta, Holboellia coriacea, or Clematis Blue Angel, which is very blue, to create a colourful scene.