Chinese trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Chinese trumpet vine brings large orange flowers to summer gardens in the United States. It is a Chinese species, while many trumpet vines sold in nurseries are its hybrid with American trumpet vine (Campsis radicans).

Appearance

Growth form: This fast-growing vine reaches about 13–30 ft (4–9 m). It partly twines and also climbs with a small number of .
Leaves: Opposite compound leaves carry 7–9 toothed leaflets.
Flowers: Loose clusters of large orange-to-red trumpet-shaped flowers open in summer. Each flower can be up to about 3 in (7.5 cm) long.
Fruit: The hanging, beanlike fruit is 3–5 in (8–13 cm) long and splits open in fall.

Look-alikes

American trumpet vineCampsis radicans

Chinese trumpet vine has a green , while American trumpet vine has a reddish calyx. It also usually has fewer aerial rootlets and a more open flower mouth.

Why they get mixed upBoth are orange-flowered climbing vines, and their hybrid is common in cultivation.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: gardens
arbors and trellises
Range: It is native to China and is grown as an ornamental vine in the United States. It is suitable for hardiness zones 6a–9b.
Preferred conditions: It flowers best in a sunny site with moist, well-drained soil and a sturdy support.
Flowering: Flowers Jun–Aug
Flowers Jun–Aug

Life cycle

Seed dispersal: Each ripe fruit releases many two-winged seeds that travel on the wind.

Growing it

Care: Spring pruning can control a mature vine because its flowers form on new growth. The plant can spread by underground runners in rich soil.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: 'Morning Calm' is a named cultivated form of this species. Nursery trumpet vines may also be the separately recognized hybrid Campsis × tagliabueana.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Its botanical name grandiflora refers to the large flowers.

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