Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) plants climb and drape, developing a forged hedge when grown against a trellis or over an arbor. When you grow this flowering vine at a sunny spot, you’ll have abundant blooms all summer. Suited to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10, this striking plant is most effective for places where pets and kids can not get the poisonous leaves and blossoms.
Sun and Soil Tolerances and Intolerances
Grow a trumpet vine hedge in full sun to encourage abundant flowers. Full sun includes any area of the garden that get six hours of sun or more everyday. You can grow this climbing vine in part shade — between two and four hours each day — but you’ll see fewer flowers throughout the summer blooming season. Trumpet vine grows best in loamy soil, but this temperate plant can prosper in heavy clay soil or sandy soil. It doesn’t grow well in salty soil like areas near the shore.
Spacing the Hedge
When expanding trumpet vine for a hedge, space the plants 36 to 60 inches apart in a row 8 to 12 inches from the base of a wire fence, trellis or arbor. Do not grow trumpet vines right from your house, as this will trap moisture, causing damage over time. Homes and other structures with wood siding are especially prone to damage by trumpet vine as the depths could get beneath the shingles as they grow.
Spring Feeding and Regular Watering
Feed each plant with 1 cup of fluid once every spring just before new growth starts. Utilize a granular 5-10-5 fertilizer to provide balanced nutrients. Sprinkle it to the soil evenly in the underside of each stem into the area under the longest branches, then water it in until the ground is damp 8 to 12 inches deep. Make sure to rinse off any sulfur that got on the leaves through program. Through the year, water the soil once weekly. Water until the place below the hedge is damp 8 to 12 inches down.
Support and Control
Trumpet vine will attach itself into your trellis with its aerial roots, however, as it matures and gets heavier, add additional support to maintain the whole hedge from ripping down in a strong wind. Utilize garden twine to tie the woody stems to the trellis or arbor. After the flowers bloom, pick off the seed pods before they drop. Trumpet vine is an aggressive grower and will disperse marginally invasively when left to go to seed. This vine also spreads by roots growing laterally under the ground. Avoid eating the leaves or flowers, as they are toxic, and wear gloves and protective clothing when working with trumpet vines as this plant can also cause skin irritation.