PlantFiles: Violet Trumpet Vine, Painted Trumpet, Argentine Trumpet Vine
Clytostoma callistegioides

This vine is a member of the Bignonia family and like many of its relatives (i.e. cross vine, campsis, etc.) it is a robust and carefree grower with very distinctive flowers. Painted trumpet is an evergreen woody stemmed vine that clambers over fences and structures using tendrils to grab hold. The bright glossy green leaves are oblong, about 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide. They are arranged opposite in pairs and tendrils arise at the point where the leaves join the stem. In late spring the vine covers itself in color when the spectacular 3 inch trumpet flowers appear. The trumpets are pale lavender and delicately detailed with dark violet and purple streaks. Flowers are followed by large prickly seed pods.
Location
Violet trumpet vine is native to Argentina and the southern part of Brazil.

this vine is anywhere from 10-16' in height

The seeds are found in a long prickly pod (about 3" by 1") with two plentiful layers of seeds rather space ship shaped. The seeds must be stratified (60 days), soaked (24 hours) and nicked. Germination is lengthy.

I accidentally cut one of the older main root stems which led to most of the plant. I quickly got a vase and placed the stem in the vase at ground level. It is doing well.

After three years, the showing is now breath taking! It has intermingled with passion flowers and the presentation is stunning. I am going to be trimming both back after bloom, to say the least, but it will be worth every garbage can.

The flowers are much deeper purple when they don't receive a full day's sun.

Flowers have a hint of sweet scent, and we always get compliments when in full bloom!

We used this to cover an unsightly fence. Grows incredibly fast here in southwest Florida. Does seem more manageable than the red trumpet vines.

I planted one of these a year ago here in Phoenix, AZ in full sun. It survived our big freeze which killed off other vines. It is not a rampant grower here. I'm just happy it came back to blossom another year!

We have had this plant for a number of years now. We had a really hard freeze last year, but this plant was not bothered. Other vines were hit hard and are just now recovering from ground level. It is a lovely plant -- and adds to the tropical effect we are nurturing with queen palms and giant birds of paradise.