How to Plant Trumpet Vine

If you're looking for an easy to grow climbing plant that will add a pop of color and interest to your garden, consider planting trumpet vine. This hardy and adaptable plant is also known as Campsis radicans, and is native to both the Southeastern United States and China. Here's how to get started.

1. Choose the Right Location

Trumpet vine thrives in full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It also prefers mildly acidic soil, so if your soil is too alkaline, you may need to amend it with well-rotted compost or a soil acidifier. Trumpet vine is also a vigorous grower, so choose a spot where it will have plenty of room to climb and spread.

2. Prepare the Soil

Before planting your trumpet vine, prepare the soil by digging a hole that is twice as wide and just as deep as the plant's root ball. Gently loosen the roots and place the plant in the hole. Fill in around the roots with soil, firming it gently with your hands to eliminate any air pockets. Water the soil well to settle it around the roots.

3. Water and Mulch

Keep the soil around your trumpet vine consistently moist, but not waterlogged, especially during the first growing season. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant will help to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. Mulch also helps to suppress weeds and encourages beneficial soil organisms.

4. Fertilize

Trumpet vine is generally a low-maintenance plant, but it will benefit from a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring. Use a slow-release formulation to provide a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season.

5. Support Your Vine

As your trumpet vine grows, it will need support to climb. It can be trained to grow up a trellis, pergola, or other structure, or it can be left to climb up a nearby tree. Just make sure that the support you choose is sturdy enough to withstand the vine's weight and is at least 6 feet tall to allow for maximum growth.

While trumpet vine is easy to grow, it can become quite invasive, so it's important to keep it in check. Prune your plant in late winter or early spring to thin out any overly dense growth and to remove dead or damaged branches. By taking these simple steps, you can enjoy a beautiful, blooming trumpet vine in your garden year after year.