Trumpet Vine

Trumpet Vine (Trumpet Creeper): Fast-Growing Native Vine Hummingbirds Love

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), also called trumpet creeper, is a fast-growing native flowering vine that climbs 25 to 40 feet and covers fences and arbors with 3-inch orange-red trumpet flowers from June to September. Trumpet vine is hardy in USDA zones 4–9 and blooms best in full sun. TN Nursery ships bare-root trumpet vine plants, Buy 1 Get 1 Free.

Trumpet vine is a woody, deciduous climber in the trumpet creeper family, Bignoniaceae, native to the eastern and central United States from New Jersey and Iowa south to Florida and Texas. Gardeners also call trumpet vine trumpet creeper, hummingbird vine and American trumpet vine. The vine climbs with small aerial rootlets that grip wood, stone and brick, so trumpet vine fills a fence, arbor, pergola or post quickly with lush, glossy foliage and bold summer color.

• Botanical name: Campsis radicans, trumpet creeper family (Bignoniaceae)
• Also called: trumpet creeper, hummingbird vine, American trumpet vine
• Size: climbs 25–40 feet; 5–10 feet wide on a support
• Flowers: 3-inch tubular trumpets in orange to red, in clusters of 4–12, June–September
• Leaves: glossy, compound, with 7–11 toothed leaflets; yellow in fall
• Wildlife value: a top nectar source for ruby-throated hummingbirds; also visited by bumblebees
• Best uses: fences, arbors, pergolas, sturdy posts, stone walls, privacy screens
• What ships: bare-root plants as Buy 1 Get 1 Free, Buy 3 Get 2 Free, Buy 5 Get 3 Free or 25-plant wholesale bundles

How Fast Does Trumpet Vine Grow?

Trumpet vine grows fast, often adding 10 feet or more of new stems in a single season once established, so one plant can cover a fence section or arbor in 2 to 3 years. Trumpet vine is one of the quickest native vines for summer shade and screening.

Plants put down roots the first season and then climb rapidly. A row of trumpet vines set 6 to 10 feet apart along a fence joins into a solid green screen covered in orange flowers.

When Does Trumpet Vine Bloom?

Trumpet vine blooms from June through September, with the heaviest flowering in July and August. New clusters keep opening at the stem tips all summer, so trumpet vine stays in color for three months or more.

Do Hummingbirds Like Trumpet Vine?

Yes. Hummingbirds love trumpet vine, and ruby-throated hummingbirds return to the same vine every summer because the long, orange-red trumpets hold plenty of nectar and match a hummingbird's bill perfectly.

A blooming trumpet vine near a porch or window gives a front-row view of hummingbirds feeding from morning to dusk. Bumblebees also crawl into the open trumpets for nectar.

Where Should You Plant Trumpet Vine?

Plant trumpet vine in full sun, at the base of a sturdy, freestanding support such as an arbor, pergola, fence or post. Trumpet vine grows in part shade too, but 6 or more hours of sun gives the most flowers.

Trumpet vine thrives in almost any well-drained soil, from clay to sand, acidic or alkaline, and handles heat and dry spells once established. A strong wood or metal arbor shows off the flowers best and gives the woody stems room to climb.

When Should You Prune Trumpet Vine?

Prune trumpet vine in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, because trumpet vine flowers on the current year's new stems. Cut side shoots back to 2 or 3 buds to shape the vine and encourage more flower clusters.

What Grows Well With Trumpet Vine?

Hummingbird and pollinator flowers grow well with trumpet vine. Plant red cardinal flower and bee balm near the base of the support, and add echinacea and orange daylily for more summer color. Virginia creeper pairs with trumpet vine on long fences for red fall color. Building a hummingbird garden from scratch? Our 10 Hummingbird Plants package is a simple way to start. Find more climbers in our climbing vines collection.

How Do You Plant Bare-Root Trumpet Vine?

Plant bare-root trumpet vine with the crown at soil level and the roots spread in a hole 8 to 12 inches deep, about 12 inches from the base of the support. Water well and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks.

At our Altamont, Tennessee nursery, we dig trumpet vine and ship the plants bare root, with no soil around the roots, so the vines are light to ship and quick to plant.

1. Soak the roots in water for about 1 hour.
2. Set up a sturdy arbor, fence or post in a sunny spot.
3. Dig a hole 8 to 12 inches deep and wide enough to spread the roots.
4. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill and water deeply.
5. Guide the first stems onto the support with soft ties until the aerial rootlets take hold.

Planting & Growing Information

Botanical Name: Campsis radicans
Plant Family: Bignoniaceae (trumpet creeper family)
Ships: Bare root
Planting Zone: 4–9
Height at Maturity: Climbs 25–40 feet
Spread: 5–10 feet on a support
Spacing: 6–10 feet apart along a fence
Sun or Shade: Full sun for the most flowers; grows in part shade
Water Needs: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Any well-drained soil, clay to sand, acidic or alkaline
Bloom Season: June–September
Flower Color: Orange to red
Native Range: Eastern and central United States
Care: Water weekly the first season. Prune in late winter, cutting side shoots back to 2–3 buds.
Plant Attributes: Fast-growing, hummingbird favorite, deer resistant, heat and drought tolerant, covers fences and arbors quickly

Trumpet Vine FAQ

Is trumpet vine the same as trumpet creeper?

Yes. Trumpet vine and trumpet creeper are two common names for the same native plant, Campsis radicans.

How tall does trumpet vine grow?

Trumpet vine climbs 25 to 40 feet on a tall support and stays fuller and lower when pruned each winter.

Does trumpet vine need full sun?

Trumpet vine flowers best in full sun with 6 or more hours of light, and trumpet vine also grows in part shade.

Do deer eat trumpet vine?

Deer rarely browse trumpet vine, so trumpet vine stays full and green in yards near woods.

Is trumpet vine native?

Yes. Trumpet vine is native to the eastern and central United States, from New Jersey and Iowa south to Florida and Texas.

What zones does trumpet vine grow in?

Trumpet vine grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.

Grown and Shipped by TN Nursery

TN Nursery has grown hardy native plants since 1959, more than 65 years of experience, and has supplied plants to major U.S. landmarks like the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery. At our Altamont, Tennessee nursery, we grow, dig and ship trumpet vine to gardens across the country. Each order is packed bare root so the roots settle in quickly and the vine starts climbing. Want to learn more first? Read Master the Art of Caring for the Trumpet Vine, How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden and Trellis Climber Vines on our garden blog, or browse our pollinator plants.