How to Grow Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
Trumpet vine is a vigorous deciduous climber producing spectacular clusters of orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers in late summer. Needs a hot sunny wall to flower well in the UK — south or west-facing is essential. Late to leaf out in spring. Prune hard in late winter to a framework of main stems. Can be invasive via suckers in warm climates.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed in spring with a high-potash fertiliser to encourage flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Watch For
- Failure to flower (too much shade or nitrogen)
- Suckering in warm areas
- Whitefly
- Powdery mildew
Track your Trumpet Vine care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun on a south or west-facing wall
Maximum heat is essential for flowering in the UK. Without a hot wall, campsis may grow vigorously but refuse to bloom.
💧 Watering
Drought-tolerant once established
Water well during the first two seasons to establish a strong root system. Mature plants rarely need supplemental watering.
🌱 Fertilizing
High-potash feed in spring
Apply a high-potash fertiliser in spring to promote flowering. Avoid nitrogen-rich feeds which encourage leafy growth at the expense of blooms.
✂️ Pruning
Hard annual prune in late winter
Cut all side shoots back to 2-3 buds from the main framework in February or March. Flowers form on the current season's growth.
❄️ Overwintering
Hardy to about -10C once established
Young plants may need fleece protection for the first few winters. Once the woody framework is established, campsis is reliably hardy in most UK gardens.
Growing Tips
Needs maximum heat
A south or west-facing wall is essential in the UK. Without reflected heat, campsis may grow well but refuse to flower.
Patience required
May take 3-5 years to produce its first flowers. Do not give up or over-feed in the meantime.
Control suckers promptly
Campsis spreads by root suckers which can appear metres from the parent plant. Remove them as soon as they appear.
Prune hard annually for best flowering
Cut all side shoots back to 2-3 buds from the main framework in late winter. Flowers form on new growth.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Whitefly
Identification: Tiny white flying insects on leaf undersides; sticky honeydew on foliage
- Introduce Encarsia formosa parasitic wasps; use yellow sticky traps
- Spray with fatty acid or plant oil-based insecticide
Pest Scale Insect
Identification: Brown or white raised bumps on stems and leaf veins; sticky honeydew
- Scrape off by hand; spray with plant oil winter wash in dormant season
- Apply systemic insecticide containing acetamiprid in early summer
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe sp.
Symptoms: White powdery patches on leaves; distorted new growth
Treatment: Improve air circulation; spray with sulphur-based fungicide
Prevention: Ensure adequate watering at the roots; avoid wetting foliage
Disease Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea
Symptoms: Sudden dieback; honey-coloured toadstools at base in autumn; white mycelium under bark
Treatment: No cure; remove and destroy infected plants including as much root as possible
Prevention: Maintain plant vigour; install vertical barriers around susceptible plants
Log Trumpet Vine in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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