CAMPSIS RADICANS - The Hardy Trumpet Vine

Campsis radicans

If you are looking for a late flowering, tropical effect climbing plant then you will be hard pressed to find a better specimen than Campsis radicans. There are two species within the Campsis genus (the other being Campsis grandiflora) of which Campsis radicans is the only one hardy enough to survive in our cold, northern European gardens.

Campsis radicans 'Flava'

So if you are planning to purchase a Campsis for your garden then make sure you choose the right one first.

Campsis radicans is vigorous, deciduous woody vine native to the southeastern United States.

It is found growing in among the woodlands and riverbanks, and given the space can growing a massive 10 m in any direction.

Campsis radicans a popular garden plant across Europe and the Mediterranean which is in no small way down to its showy trumpet-shaped flowers.

Incidentally, these flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds!

Besides the native species, there are several excellent cultivars to choose from:

Campsis radicans 'Flava' - Commonly known as the 'Yellow Trumpet Vine', this is a very attractive form which produced rich yellow flowers and received the RHS 'Award of Merit in 1969

Campsis x tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'

Campsis x tagliabuana - This is a variable hybrid of C. radicans and C. grandiflora, but a stunning cultivar has been produced from it, 'Madame Galen'.

Campsis x tagliabuana 'Madame Galen' - This is my favourite of all the Campsis cultivars. It is a vigorous climber with panicles of salmon-red flowers during the late summer and early autumn.

If you are lucky enough to have the right soil conditions then the flowers it produces can open out as a gorgeous lipstick red.

For related articles click onto:
HOW TO GROW CAMPSIS RADICANS
HOW TO GROW CAMPSIS  X TAGLIABUANA 'Madame Galen' 
THE TRUMPET VINE