Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Creeper, Cow-itch Vine, Hellvine

On May 2, 2018, Ladybug87 from Arlington, TX wrote:

Do NOT do it!!!
I am in Texas and this plant is so extremely invasive that I have realized that if I lived here for many years and worked daily to rid my yard of this plant, it would never be eradicated!

It has separated boards on our storage building, which must be replaced.
It has grown between the roof and the shingles of that building.
It has shown up in every part of my yard, far from where it was planted by a prior unsuspecting owner.
The battle to just contain it is never ending.
My husband and I spent an entire day recently, digging and pulling and pulling and digging. And it will be back, in those same places, because you can NEVER get rid of the roots.
This plant can grow inches a day and will invade flower beds, ... read moreyards, climb up your house and leave suckers that will not be easily removed.
Carpenter ants LOVE it and will come for the nectar and then invade your home.
I can not express how much I dislike this plant.

It is not worth the pretty little flowers to deal with YEARS of eradication after you realize just how truly invasive this vine is.

On Apr 2, 2017, SeanPalmer from Orangevale, CA wrote:

After reading all of the comments on the Trumpet Vine...we promptly are going out today to dig up the 4 we planted yesterday along our fenceline! We have some majestic oaks in our yard near where we planted the vine, as well as our neighbors have an oak tree directly behind the fence as well. It would be heartbreaking to have these vines take over those trees in the future. I also spent years taking out a huge blackberry in our yard...so I do not want to fight this vine either. Teaches me a lesson...research before you plant. Thanks for all of the informative info on this site. I am going to research other evergreen vines and find one that will work better in our yard.

On Oct 2, 2016, LilyV1865 from near Gainesville,
United States (Zone 9a) wrote:

My grandmother gave me a cutting approx. 10 years ago. We live only 30 minutes apart and have the same sandy soil with similar light and water conditions. However, hers is full of flowers in the Spring and Fall and mine only gets a about 40 blooms in the Spring and even less in the Fall. Her vine is greatly neglected only getting water as nature provides and no fertilizer ever. I have tried tending to mine diligently and also neglecting it. What flowers I do get (which I am grateful for) are usually not very vibrant. I am at a loss as to how to best care for this vine, as it seems that no matter what I do, it will not bloom very much or with vibrancy. I give it a positive rating because it does bloom and feed my two hummingbirds for a brief period and I'm sure that if I knew what I am doin... read moreg wrong and corrected that , it would be a more beautiful plant. Plus, my grandmother's vine is absolutely gorgeous(the mother plant).

On Jun 24, 2016, bobvanhalder from Brooks, OR wrote:

Trumpet vine is not killed by either Roundup or a broadleaf killer. The most that it will do is burn part of the roots closest to the application. The remaining roots will resurface. Roots however need the sunlight and that is the key. If you can put chickens in that area they will kill the emerging trumpet vine shoots and eventually the entire plant. Without chickens you have no choice but to dig up the new shoots and apply Roundup to the root. Eventually you will win the battle.

On May 14, 2016, Lorra from Indianapolis, IN wrote:

Lorra, Indiana Z5a
I am EXTREMELY disappointed that Dave’s Garden would promote Campsis radicans – it is a THUG. Yes, it is a lovely native plant … but so is poison ivy.
Note the propagation methods. Birds are great propagators.
Trumpet Vine can send underground roots for at least 30 (thirty) feet. If it climbs a tree, it will eventually kill it, the same as wild grape vines.

On May 9, 2016, jonaricci from Glenside, PA wrote:

Wow… hard to believe how much Trumpet Vine is out of control in our gardens, but since the stores keep selling it, we'll have to keep dealing with it. The unsuccessful use of RoundUp can be attributed to their mechanism: they are over-dosing plants with growth hormones - kind of like giving them a triple speedball of meth and heroine. Maybe it will kill them, maybe not.

So here's what worked for me in Southeastern Pennsylvania:

1) Pick up some ground clearing agent in concentrated form. It's critical to be concentrated, so go to a local garden supply and see what professional strength product you can score. I used Trioxx years ago, full strength, but I don't know if it's still on the market.

2) Cut off the branch back to an area t... read morehick enough that you can drill a deep half inch hole into it from the end, positioned so you can get it to hold liquid (so, not a horizontal branch). Closer to the trunk is better, but not too far from a lot of branching.
You cut off the outlying foliage so that birds and bees don't eat poison taking into the vine's system.

3) Drill down as far as possible, at least 1.5 inches, preferably more. Do this on as many branches as practicable.

NOW, PUT ON YOUR DISPOSABLE, PLASTIC GLOVES.

4) Using a small syringe which you will throw away, inject concentrate into the holes, and immediately go onto Step 5. Remember, this is strong stuff and if you spill it on the ground, it can be taken up by anything in a 3-4 foot radius enough to kill it and will last for 2-3 years.

5) Wrap some duct tape around the wound to seal it off from evaporation, inquisitive hands, rain splashing/drawing it out, etc. You can also use 2 layers of plastic wrap and rubber bands.

Repeat Steps 3-5 in as many places as you can. It is especially helpful to do this near, but not on, the ground where the trunk is the largest, in several places, without having to cut stuff off down to that level.

Of course, this would be best to do in the active growth season, perhaps on a nice hot day in July or August so the plant is already stressed.

6) Be a good citizen: Burn the cuttings where you won't inhalf the vapors, and so they don't take up living in a compost pile somewhere after City collection of yard waste.

7) For any little suckers, spray them every day or two with a systemic like RoundUp (I prefer other brands) for a period of at least one week, then dig them up. This will leave the ground safe for other plantings.

It's a lot of work, but I think it's less destructive and frustrating than calling in the Apache choppers to scorch out a winning in the ground battle.

On May 6, 2016, FlyPoison from Rock Hill, SC (Zone 7a) wrote:

Despite the plant's reputation, if you want to draw in hummingbirds, Campsis radicans (Trumpet Creepers) are great choice for native plant aficionados. There nectar is the equivalent of 'crystal meth' to them. The bloom time is 2-3 months in the SE and they're not that hard to control, if you stay on top of them or plant them in the right place. I once had to hit a few stragglers w/ Roundup but otherwise they definitely have a place in my native southern garden.

If you prefer an earlier blooming vine in the same family try planting Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine). It has a much shorter blooming period, but unlike the Trumpet Creeper it retains much of it's foliage in milder climates where the leaves can turn burgundy if grown in full sun.

On Oct 26, 2015, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

Yes, the flowers are lovely, but this species has been too aggressive for me to control in the garden. It is native on the east coast from New Jersey south, but it's an invasive exotic species that has naturalized in New York and New England.

From Z6 south, Campsis grandiflora is a better choice for most gardeners as it is less aggressive. The hybrid between the two species is also said to be less aggressive than C. radicans and a zone hardier than C. grandiflora.

On Apr 21, 2015, greatgardeningg from Aurora, MO wrote:

READ ABOUT BEFORE PLANTING!!! WARNING-read extensively about this vine before planting! It literally has a dozen ways it self-propagates; so if you don't want your yard to be the amazon jungle of trumpet vine--understand how to CONTROL it BEFORE you plant it!!! Pretty but SCARY, sort of like 'fatal attraction' of the plant world!

On Apr 7, 2015, TabbiDawn from Port Richey, FL wrote:

I moved into a house with a Orange trumpet vine growing on the back fence, I've only gotten one bloom from it in the past year and while it has spread a foot or two in that time there is very little foliage, is there anything I can do to encourage more foliage and blooms? Everything I've read on it is a warning on how fast it grows and how to keep it contained but very little on how to keep it healthy.

On Oct 2, 2014, ZenSojourner from Fairborn, OH (Zone 8a) wrote:

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this plant negative infinity. I cannot express enough just how dangerously invasive this plant is.

I, too, love the blossoms and the way it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. For many years it was on my list of plants I desperately wanted to have someday.

After a mere 3 months of dealing with the neighbor's trumpet vine on a common back fence, I thank the powers that be every day that I never managed to plant it anywhere, leaving a problem behind me to trouble and dismay former neighbors and new tenants.

We are in a desert climate. We are renting a home where the previous owner had laid down 30' of astroturf, black plastic, and rock in lieu of having an actual yard. If I owned this property instead of rentin... read moreg, I would want to xeriscape the back yard and make it a liveable place - but because of the trumpet vine, I would not be able to.

This thing has sent shoots out 30 and 40' from the mother plant, across the hellscape of rock, plastic, and astroturf, to come up in the sole plantable spot in the yard, a 3' wide bed around the edges of the patio into which are planted mostly roses. And the vine repeatedly comes up in the roses, which it is damaging and slowly killing in the inadvertent protection provided by the rose's very own thorns.

It hasn't managed to come up through the astroturf itself, but it is coming up through the black plastic and rocks in its hundreds, and I do mean HUNDREDS, of small vines.

These vines unfortunately do not stay small. No, they grow at the speed of light. One day there's a couple of leaves - the next time you look out the back door and it and a dozen brothers have grown halfway up the side of your shed already.

When you go pull them down, the tough rootlets rip shreds away from the siding on said shed. Said shed shredded. Trust me, it is nowhere near as funny as it sounds.

You can't dig them up with out removing all the plastic and rocks. Pulling them up has strained my shoulders more than once, and is often impossible. Cutting them off as far back as you can manage only encourages them.

I called the extension agency to find out how to kill the thing, and they told me - suggested a 2,4 D herbicide. Then they told me I am not allowed to use it to kill the sprouts in my yard because it will kill the mother plant as well. I am tempted to do it anyway and hope that the neighbor thinks the desert finally claimed the horrid thing, but I suspect they'd just plant another, or - worse yet and my greatest fear - it wouldn't actually kill the mother plant, it would just make it angry and out for revenge.

The extension agent was TOTALLY unsympathetic to my plight and kept telling me it is NOT invasive. I soon found out why. She has planted this monstrosity herself, which was making her irrationally defensive of it.

She thinks it won't grow in the desert unless you water it - this thing is not watered by me OR by my neighbor, it is 60 or 70' up a hill from their back door.

Then she accused me of being complicit in its spread because I had allegedly altered the "natural balance" of this desert environment by "introducing water".

I don't know about anyone else - perhaps its just me - but does anybody out there water astroturf, or large expanses of black plastic covered with rocks? And how is introducing Trumpet vine to the desert not ALSO altering the desert environment? So it seems to me that having planted it in her yard, KNOWING that her neighbors are likely to be watering their back yards, she should also know full well that the proviso about it not being invasive in a desert environment no longer applies.

(And no, I do not powerwash my astroturf. I wouldn't HAVE astroturf if I weren't a renter, and I wouldn't remove it now for fear of the trumpet vine. So I do not water the astroturf, I actually take a shop vac to it.)

I swear, if there is a hell, there ought to be a special place in it for people who plant Trumpet vine KNOWING how invasive it is, leaving elderly and disabled neighbors totally at its mercy.

Please don't plant this vine. NOWHERE. Not even in Alaska should this vine ever be planted. I wonder if it would winterkill even in Siberia. There is no "root barrier" you could put down that would keep it from invading your neighbor's yard, or even coming up somewhere unfortunate in your own yard.

It is a beautiful flower. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies like mad. But you would have to be crazy or cruel to risk inflicting this invasive weed - its official designation by the USDA - on your neighbors or future tenants of your own property.

Please plant something, ANYTHING, else. Cardinal climber. Native honeysuckle. Cleome. There are LOTS of flower, shrubs and vines that attract hummers and butterflies, and yet which won't send out 50' to 100' long runners to ruin your neighbors health and peace of mind.

I beg of you. DO NOT PLANT TRUMPET VINE.

On Aug 15, 2014, Lovehum wrote:

Prized for its striking blooms especially in full sun but also hated by some for its fast growth and near relentless desire to live. Attracts hummingbirds, creates beautiful privacy but drops all its leaves after a couple of cold snaps towards winter. Just do your research on your USDA zone and choosing a safe location before planting this vine!

On May 28, 2014, PTetley from Baton Rouge, LA wrote:

Deep South area of the US- This vine was on my property when I bought it 8 years ago. Every year, I have been fighting seeds/seedlings and rampant vines coming up below and near the white oak tree. They come up many feet away from the parent vine, and are shooting up between the expansion joints in my driveway and about 30 feet away climbing up our chain-link fence. The vines are beginning to thicken up, resembling wisteria's thick vines that pull down structures. Please reconsider ever planting this monster. I am going to wage war on it beginning this weekend, and one of us will eventually win. It may indeed be the death of me before I can rid my property of this evil. And yes, pick up the pods full of seeds and throw them in the trash!

On Apr 13, 2014, Zeffie from North River, ND wrote:

Got dead soil? we got the solution! grow this plant and have no fear, you can't kill it! This grows in the very alkaline soil (pH 8) of fargo hard clay pan no problem. Just dont over water it is all. I've also seen it do very well in almost pure sand and no nutrients! not a good choice for rich soils imo. Hostile limestone soils? yes! salty soil where nothing else will grow? Yup. Prune tolerant once established, quite vigorous. the yellow flava is less rampant, easier to contain.

On Feb 12, 2014, Hannibalscipio wrote:

There is a bush that looks like a trumpet vine near my grandmother's house. It looks nice and healthy, but it has not spread like trumpet vines tend to. Is there a bush that looks like a trumpet vine, but does not spread?

Thank you.

On Aug 7, 2013, patriciabs from Huntsville, AL wrote:

This vine was growing in our Virginia pines at our Christmas Tree Plantation in Lacey's Spring, AL. The day after I spent an hour or so pulling this vine from our trees, I noticed a rash that is driving me crazy. Today is Day 5 and it itches unmercifully and is not getting better! What can I do to get rid of the rash and ease the itch? I hate this plant!

On Jul 11, 2013, jennylove from Flemington, NJ,
United States wrote:

Hindsight is 20/20 ... I didn't do any research, and had no idea this was a potential invasive ... but I probably wouldn't have believed anything bad about this plant anyways ... I planted in the ground, let mother nature take care of it (meaning: i didn't water, fertilize, or pay any special attention to it), and within the first two years it was beautiful & everything i'd hoped it would be. And for the past 5-6-7 years, it continued to grow nicely; we were able to keep a tightly maintained tree-top canopy full of flowers on a single trunk over a small sturdy arbor at the gated entrance to our 50'x100' garden on our 5-Acre property ... BUT... the plant is now in its 8th-9th year, and is RELENTLESSLY SPREADING, UNDERGROUND, POPPING UP EVERYWHERE, 20', 30', 50', 70' away from the handsome-... read moreand-neatly-maintained main tree/trunk. Let the nightmare begin! While we did pull the occasional random sprouters in years prior, it's evident there were a lot more out of our sight, and that they've been multiplying & running farther & farther underground, and now the armies of strong vines are emerging en mass in our vegetable garden, among neighboring shrubs, out past our property into unmaintained woods. [i repeat, ALL FROM ONE WELL-MAINTAINED TREE-TRUNK] Maybe in a mowing area, the runners can be maintained? I doubt it though, I'll bet you they just run further, staying underground, away from the mower and into some other area where they can safely surface & thrive. Unfortunately, without experiencing it first-hand, people often can't appreciate the utter DISBELIEF AND FRUSTRATION (aka: how did this get all the way over here, oh my gosh there's so many, ugh and they don't want to come out) that an invasive (aka: nearly uncontrollable) plant can cause and all the TIME, DILIGENCE & LABOR it requires to get a landscape back to something manageable, something you enjoy, you know back to the "joy" of gardening. (I'm also battling Wisteria planted by former homeowner, and some comfrey from my mom. Add some bamboo & I think I'd sell the house & move ;) Thank you to this forum, it may have shed some light onto my husband's frequent & severe "poison ivy" issue, I'll have to do some more photo research to see if some of his reactions may have been caused by the trumpet vine?

On Nov 4, 2012, Columbine57 from Austin, TX wrote:

My mother ordered the first plant over 20 years ago. I think it was just part of a root. I planted it for her, in front of the middle of the brick wall on the front of my house. It grew, Had to find a way to support it, because we wanted it to grow up the wall but it couldn’t get a hold of the brick I guess. I put up a piece of chicken wire and the plant took off. It has grown and expanded it’s area to cover the area near the house to the West of where it was planted. Since the front door is back from the front wall, it grew back into the area where the front door is. The screen is a wrought iron frame, the vine is working hard to cover that with my encouragement. When it starts to hang out into the open air, I wrap it around and tuck it into the iron works. Most would call it invasive b... read moreut I love this plant. It grows where I can’t get anything else to grow. It does draw in the butterflies and bees, I don’t have a problem with either. It’s working on climbing a metal garden bench/trellis, and I hope to keep circling the vine until the bench is covered. I’ve collected the seeds, which I hope will take root in the front yard, the only thing that seems to grow out there is weeds, and as much as I like this plant, I hope it takes over.

On Jun 16, 2012, ScarletRed from El Paso, TX wrote:

I have read extensively about the trumpet vine before buying it. I live in El Paso Texas were it is very dry and hot so I decided to give it a try. In this climate unless you water it, the plant will not make it. I actually LOOK for invaseive plants because I have found they are more likely to do well when the El Paso summer temperatures hit over 100. Well I must say I have been very pleased with my trumpet vine. The first summer it wrapped around my rectangular shaped column within about two months. Ironically it did most of its growing when it was the hottest and driest. I went and bought another one. I also got one for my mom since she has a long railing she wants it to grow on. The first year I only got one bushel of blooms, but now I have multiple. I hope it grows over my roof because... read more I have some ANNOYING pigeons I want the trumpet vine to choke out. Here in the desert I live not many things grow too well so it is actually a relief to have a plant like this one. I understand it can be a pest where you receive regular rain, but the only rain my garden sees regularly is from my garden hose.

On Mar 17, 2012, Kjoygardenmum from Sheridan, OR wrote:

Had to put neutral due to lack of experience with this. I wanted to plant this soooo bad! It's drop dead gorgeous, has lovely foliage and is a plant that is supposed to be wonderful for hummingbirds and have some herbal use as well. So I bought seeds and there are a dozen or more under my growing lights as I sit here. I understand the positive comments but was seriously impacted by the negative ones ( I always wondered why it was called cow itch vine). So here I make my solemn vow. I promise to dump everyone of those little devils into the trash as soon as I am done typing, Amen!

On Jan 8, 2012, Ryliethereddog from Granite City, IL wrote:

My neighbor has this plant in his yard at the corner of his privacy fence. My fence is attached to his. This plant has physically grown into his fence. I have had to vigilant each year with this thug to be certain that I cut this thing off of my fence.
This plant has sent shoots up into my yard 30 feet away from the main plant. I have dug, pulled and cut the shoots without success. I have cut the shoots and "spritzed" the remaining stems with Round-up killing a bush in my yard in the process. Nothing has worked.
This plant is indeed invasive!!!!

On Jul 5, 2011, pastapicker from Columbus, OH wrote:

It takes 3-4 years for it to mature to the point of producing bloom, and another year or 3 before it starts to spread. Keep that in mind when reading of other's experiences who say that it is easy to control or they have had no problem.

BUT the vines are very strong and heavy, and will invade and damage structures within 20 feet and farther --like into crawl spaces, under siding, pavement and patios. Including those of your neighbors.

Cold weather does not "control" it. I have sprouts after a winter with temps to -20F, years after the main plant was cut down.

The roots are extremely strong --they start tiny and develop into arm-sized aggressive spreaders 2-3 feet underground. The more you cut or dig out the visible sprouts, the farther and m... read moreore widely the roots will go looking for a hospitable spot. It may appear to be controlled by mowing and pruning but the underground spread is continuing and increasing. Any individual root segment will continue to grow, even if never allowed to produce above ground growth (ie cutting down any sprout within a day or two of appearing).

I am in my 4th year of fighting it over a 20 foot radius from the original plant. When a sprout appears I dig down (2 to 3 feet!) to expose as much of the the main root as I can manage, cut it out and apply brush-b-gone to the soil to try to catch any connecting roots. Invariably there are branches that I don't see that survive beyond the die-off -- seems it doesn't absorb or carry the poison far beyond the point of appication-- and continue the aggression.

I would only plant this (in ground) in a metal container, with drain holes covered with fine strong metal mesh, and then only far away from any desirable structure or other landscaping . It still might be able to break through that over time. Then you must also prune off any seed pods.

UPDATED 2014: I thought that I had won my battle with it last year when I found only one little sprout early and destroyed it and the root beneath. Alas, this past month I discovered 3 healthy sprouts in various spots. For the record, this is now 7 years after I destroyed the original planting and all roots (spreading up to 20 feet away) that I could find, digging up a large garden bed in the process.

On Jul 4, 2011, Daylily_Diva from Santee, CA wrote:

I live in SoCal and have two of these planted at opposite ends of my yard and, yes, they are slow growing the first year or so but then they really take off. I have pruned them back hard every spring and - since the bloom on new growth - get lots of flowers. My only seemingly unique comment is that - on the same root stock - on the same stem - there will be bright red flowers and also brilliant purple ones at the same time. No nurseryman or our landscapers have seen anything like it - it's really beautiful in full bloom. Have any of you heard of this before?

On Jul 4, 2011, atacatsa from Pleasanton, TX wrote:

I will admit it can spread, but it is no worse than the passion vine. I think, from reading the comments, that it may be like the mesquite tree which is native here, but can be invasive. I learned that if you cut a mesquite tree down, it has buds under the soil which then sprout making a single trunk tree into four or five. Farmers swear that a mixture of diesel fuel and remedy will kill mesquites. You have to have a pesticide license to buy some of these things and they are expensive. You might check with your county extension agent as to how to eliminate the plant if you don't like it. It also takes three or four years to bloom and there are new cultivars which are not so invasive and have larger flowers.

On Jul 4, 2011, noelpne from Lancaster,
United Kingdom wrote:

Here in Northern England, I 'm not a user ( which is why I'm
a neutral ) --- but I suggest that this plant is used in an as big container/pot as possible, with a watering/drip tray underneath, to give the plant both a large reserve of soil + to isolate it from the real ground.

Regarding the use of Round-Up - perhaps something in the Armory that is stronger that this could be tried? What else
can be utilised verses e.g. Japanese Knotweed in the USA ? We also use Picloram ( " Tordon 22K" ), Triclopyr
( " Garlon 4 " ) & 2,4-D ( In a mixture with Picloram "Atladox HI " or Triclopyr & Dicamba "Broadshot ")
Imazapyr (" Arsenal " / " Chopper" /"Assault " has been withdrawn in the UK but may be o.k. to still buy in the USA ) and there is als... read moreo Sodium chlorate.

Over here, as well as Glyphosate ("Roundup") - the pesticides Clopyralid ( "Transline" by Dow ) is used against
Giant Hogweed. That might act on that Trumpet vine, I dunno.
You may not be able to get some or all of those in the USA
these days, - but I think they are all stronger than Roundup/Glyphosate.
You may have to ask the proffessional herbicide companys;- these chemicals may not be available on the U.S domestic market .

On Jul 4, 2011, wakingdream from Allentown, PA wrote:

I grew the Trumpet Vine from a cutting taken from my mother's birthplace in Afton VA. In my zone 6 Pennsylvania garden, it has grown "successfully", swallowing a basketball pole, a shed, three large shrubs and is trying to cross the open easement into my neighbor's hedge.

After 15 years of growing this without allergic incident, my husband and I were simultaneously assaulted with a hideous attack of itching after we pruned and chipped up branches, both woody and soft growth. The chipper bag itself continued to cause itching and was repeatedly rinsed and even soaked to remove the allergens.

Although it blooms attractively, placement of this vine on your property should be carefully considered. Nothing of value should be near it as it will swamp over everyth... read moreing like a thick green wave.

On May 24, 2011, roipolloi from Morton, PA wrote:

PLEASE don't plant this unbelievably invasive plant! I planted this at my old house against the light pole and when I found it removed one day I was angry. Now I realize that whoever took it away did me a big favor!

When I moved into my current house I planted another one next to my new pole. The first year it did little. When it grew high enough to arch over it began to bloom - profusely. I found out that it was the talk of the neighborhood and that everyone admired it. Then one spring I discovered to my dismay that it had suddenly sprouted volunteers around my front lawn. The roots had gone under the sidewalk. The day after every weekly cutting it would already be sticking up over the grass. I tried pulling them out but they broke off at the soil line ... read moreand would sprout up shortly after and were angling toward my boxwood from both sides.

At the same time as the vine was spreading, my house was invaded by ants, not just outside by inside. They were swarming all over my kitchen and in my refrigerator. I called an exterminator and he said it was the worst infestation he had ever seen. He wanted a lot of money to fix the problem. I removed as much of the original plant as I could, had a landscaper pull out as much of the thick, traveling root as he could, and have sprayed every resurgence with roundup on a daily basis ever since. Also the ants are gone from the house without the exterminator.

Recently I visited my next door neighbor who told me that she had snatched seed pods from the plant and showed me one growing in her yard. I told her why I removed the lovely vine and asked if I could dig hers up, but she declined. I hope I'm not fighting this plant to the end of my days.

On Mar 28, 2011, Cchicken from Dexter, ME wrote:

My suggeation is to use the same method we did to erradicate Bamboo. Cut to root level, cover with black plastic, weigh down [ we used rocks], leave on for 2 years. The plant needs light to grow!

On Oct 26, 2010, CrossvineCrazy from Plano, TX wrote:

We liked the occasional color on this vine and had four Crossvines planted by the fence in our backyard. It grows well in the Dallas area and requires occasional trimming. I never had any problem with suckers or spreading until I replaced our fence and decided to eliminate the crossvines. I first cut them off and left the stumps. I decide to dig out the root on one of them - a big mistake. It was a big contorted mass, but I thought I had pretty much gotten it out. Wrong! After a couple months, I saw several vines come up a few feet away back in the pool equipment area. Then as the summer progressed, they came up everywhere - in the lawn, the landskaping, further and further away. I finally resorted to RoundUp, but they keep coming back. I found this forum hoping to find a solution. From w... read morehat I read here, the solution seems to be to sell the house and move to another place. The plants that I did not try to remove the root have sent out some new shoots, but not as agressively as the one where I did.

On Jul 10, 2010, Feather10 from Debary, FL wrote:

I have to agree that this plant is quite invasive. I have one growing on my east side fence. I never planted it. I guess a little bird left it as a gift. I trim it back severly every year and it seems to keep it under control. The orange flowers are beautiful and attract hummers and butterflys. Cutting it back produces more flowers. It is growing in sandy soil and I totally neglect it except to trim it back yearly. It does wonderful.

On Jun 16, 2010, zackhi from Roselle, IL wrote:

Does anyone know where i can get an old one and/or one that has been blooming?
Thank you

On Jun 2, 2010, vark from Rosamond, CA wrote:

We live in a hot arrid area of Souhern California. There are several of these vines growing on the property against fences and walls, all of the orange variety. We love the beauty they provide and have non of the invasive problems many complain about. It's a shame for them because this vine produces a gorgeous flower that glows against the dark green leaves.
I do have one problem though. I've tried digging up and transplanting outgrowth from runners at the base of the plant and last year I bought and planted a 3 foot high trumpet vine. Non of them have taken. All of them shrivel and die within a month or two. I watered everyday the first three days then slowly cut back the watering depending on the heat of the day, usually two to three times a week. The first few weeks I would shad... read moree them from afternoon sun. Three weeks after planting I would fertilize once with either Miracle Grow or liquid fish meal. We have clay desert soil but when planted I would dig a two foot by one foot hole filling with planting soil. I understand clay soil doesn't drain well so I tried to limit the amount of water to one gallon every watering. Any tips?

On May 12, 2010, thanksabunch from Chewelah, WA wrote:

I am posting neutral as not to sway the numbers.... I have ordered a few of these plants for a sloping hillside I want to cover for erosion control. After reading all of your comments, I am very happy that I stopped here before planting. I WILL NOT be planting my new arrivals, instead I will chuck them in the trash (and after reading all the horror stories, maybe beautify the landfill, as it seems, these things will thrive, multiply, and take over anywhere). I appreciate those who have had success, but after dealing with and finally conquering (5 years and a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and money later) horsetail in Wester WA, I am not taking any chances.

On Mar 26, 2010, plant_tender from De Pere, WI wrote:

Vines, or any type plant which has a vining nature, tends to NOT like excessive acidity. Hence, to kill an invasive vine, use straight cheap white *Vinegar*. 'Feed' it to the thirsty; roots, stems, leaves. Diligently repeat as necessary, don't give up! It severely damages, & often kills vining type plants, even faster than round up. Used in conjunction with round up, it may work even better, especially when applied on a hot sunny day. I have managed to kill off even the more dreaded hideously invasive, 'Virginia Creeper Vine - Parthenocissus quinquefolia', via this method. (30' long root system, with 1" thick roots, & vined up our 50' tall tree, choked it out & killed it). It took years of using round up repeatedly, with no lasting results, ... until I learned of vinegars effects on vines,... read more ... & once I used that, ... the invader was dead within 2 summer seasons, after over 10 years of previously failed efforts.

On Jan 19, 2010, sleazeweazel from Bell, FL wrote:

I often wondered why Campsis radicans was also called Cow itch vine, as I had handled the fresh plant many times barehanded with no problem. Then one day I decided to use a chain saw to cut down a big dead Campsis vine to use it in an orchid display. After making several cuts I became aware of intense itching which soon spread all over my body. The fibers in the stem were like some kind of allergenic asbestos that had been thrown into the air by the chain saw. I didn't stop itching for a week!

The only worse mistake I have made was to cut down lots of Poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum) in the Bahamas with a dull chainsaw. The poison volatilized and blasted me directly in the face. I and the rest of the crew had to be medicallly evacuated off the island!

On Oct 2, 2009, hollyhocklady from Shepherdsville, KY wrote:

I could not have said it any beyyer then Pat_in_Michigan.
I ordered this monster 4 years ago. I did not know about it then. Well it is a monster that has took over. All this year I have been digging up the roots & this thing still comes up all over my yard. I poured round up on it & I think it did kill the big tree like vine but there's more coming up. GRRRRRRRRRRRR I hate this thing!

On Aug 10, 2009, hmingbrd from Sebastian, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

This plant was growing along the fenceline on the west side of my house when we moved in here over 20 yrs. ago, zone 9b/10a in East Central FL. I gave it a positive rating mainly because the Hummingbirds LOVE it! It also makes a good privacy screen.....my neighbor's house on the west side sits very close to mine. It has since worked it's way from my house near the front of the property almost to the back, (in a northerly direction) about 150', but hasn't tried to grow along the fence in the other direct, for some strange reason. It blooms all winter here and becomes a huge mass of bright orange color.

I am one of those who react badly to this plant, but only if I get all up in it and prune a bunch of it. It apparently is a reaction that I developed over time because the... read more first time it happened was several yrs. into living here and I'd pruned it numerous times before this. But this one time I'd been pruning it for about an hour when I suddenly broke out in hives all over my body, even the bottoms of my feet!!.....and I also had trouble breathing. I almost had to call 911 but the benadryl finally kicked in and it subsided.

I have not had near the trouble with this plant that others have reported.....it hasn't tried to come up or grow anywhere but along the fence for me. It does need a good heavy pruning, done in the spring after it quits blooming. A few yrs. ago I tried to get one growing on the east side, outside of my kitchen window, so I could watch the Hummers while doing dishes! It got a lot of shade there though, and never did much growing or blooming. I left it there for 3 or 4 yrs. and finally pulled it up.....by then it had sent out some runners maybe 7-10' from the main plant but I pulled them up at the same time and never saw any more of it. My back yard is wide open so it would be easy for it to spread outwards but it hasn't. After reading all the previous negative reports, I would think I'm talking about a different plant.....but it looks EXACTLY like all the pictures. Maybe I just happened to get one that minds it's manners?....lol!

On Jul 24, 2009, CharlieCarrah from Losantville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:

This plant grows wild along the fence-rows in the country, where I live. I was seriously considering transplanting some of the trumpet vine from the "wild" to my property, but after reading these "horror" stories, I think I'll just admire it as I drive down my road to go to work! My hummingbirds can continue to drink from my feeders...

On Jun 15, 2009, KDGunstone from Olympia, WA wrote:

Hello-

I recently moved into a home that has a trumpet vine growing in the foundation planting near the front door. It is relatively newly planted, as it still has the 'tags' on it from Lowe's. After reading the horrendous way it consumes gardens, and lives, should I pull it now?

I am also wondering, my impression I got from reading all of the comments about this behemoth, is that is seems to be 'invasive' in the south. Am I relatively safe, living here in Washington state? Honestly, I am not sure what zone I am in, but we are quite temperate in this Puget Sound area.

Has anyone any experience in the north with this plant? The variety, or cultivar, is "Madame Galen". Any advice, suggestions as to what to do? Thanks so much! Dara

On May 29, 2009, mjsponies from DeLand/Deleon Springs, FL (Zone 8b) wrote:

I checked "Neutral", but only because this vine is not for the "feint of hear", you MUST pay attention to what is't doing. DON'T get it anywhere near a shrub, tree, bush, roof, of anykind what so ever,.,
Ok..those kinds of words to me mean" stick it in an "above" ground planter like an old wheelbarrrow, kids swimming pool, sandbox or ...be prepared to prune UNMERCIFULLY BIG OLD CHAINE SAW wROKS FOR ME RIGHT NOW ! Any one you don't feel like you d'eail mehave to go for the warribng,

On May 5, 2009, giftgas from Everson, WA (Zone 7b) wrote:

OK, I am going to be the first to admit this:

I can't grow a trumpet vine. It doesn't grow where I live, not even in direct sunlight, and I've tried 6 different sources, all of them were the invasive "uncultivated" versions.

On Sep 29, 2008, britbrighton from Ancram, NY wrote:

I bought an older home that already had trumpet vine growing around the house, which at FIRST we thought looked quite charming. No more! We have a very low deck and each year it comes up from under it and crawls up the side of my house to the roof pushing up the deck boards and ripping up the siding and gutters in its path. It has invaded the other sides of the house as well and made its way into our lawn. To add to the insult it only gave me one flower for all of the trouble it has caused! We tried digging it up but after a three foot trench around the house and endless 1' by 6" inch tubers and roots of it that we yanked out with MUCH work we gave up. There is still more of this creature spreading its tenticles around my gardens. I have planted heather and russian sage and other invasives... read more and am hoping to choke out the vine. Err!!!

On Sep 12, 2008, gma6 from West Chester, PA wrote:

I actually love the vine but I have had it for three years and it has never bloomed!

On Jul 31, 2008, Jiny from Tokyo,
Japan (Zone 10a) wrote:

From reading many of your bad experiences with this potentially nasty invader. may I suggest trying Campsis grandiflora 'Morning Calm. I have one here in Japan zone 9, it is far less invasive than most other trumpet vines and flowers orange pink from late May to
early October. Like most vines it requires good firm support and
regular pruning. Prefers a neutral or slightly acidic soil, best in full sun or partial shade. It has never self propagated from seed in my garden, that I am aware of but if you weed on a regular basis as I do then perhaps you'd never know. I do hope this is helpful to those of you that love
the flowers but hate the habit!

On Jul 9, 2008, dclazel from Georgetown, TX wrote:

I planted a trumpet vine between a wall and a sidewalk about 7 years ago and trained it up and over the edge of the garage roof and over my arched doorway. People often stop on the street to say how pretty it is. It attracts hummingbirds as they pass through in spring and fall.

In my area it blooms from Feb.-Nov. When the leaves fall off, I prune it back a little so it isn't spreading across the roof. I have found that it is not interested in going under the shingles; because of the lack of light, I guess. It does like to attach itself to the painted eaves, but it can be pulled away easily. Any remaining holdfasts can be lightly sanded and painted over and it looks as if they were never there. Last year it made its way under the sidewalk and began putting up shoots in the ya... read morerd. I mow/mulch them along with the grass.

All in all, I love trumpet vine for its beauty and hardiness. I haven't found it to be too invasive to deal with.

On Jun 25, 2008, pcjmgreene from Minneapolis, MN wrote:

We are renters in a house with a large trumpet vine "tree" on a chain link fence. For the people that say it is hard to get it to grow or that it is easy to keep on top of, I really feel that it must be a relatively new plant (ie. younger than five years old). I say this because it seems that while the beginning life of this plant seems no problem and then easy to keep on top of - eventually it becomes a darn hydra! Every time you cut off one root, eight more spring up in its place!!! I have now found serious (in other words bigger than my husband's thumb!) sprouts on the opposite side of my house from the darn plant. It gets everywhere. It is in BOTH of my neighbor's yards and I spend at least one to two hours EVERY week hacking away at the various sprouts that pop up everywhere. I ... read moreoften need to bring a small hack saw to get the "root" cut back and that is not the real root - I can't even find that! I spray it with the strongest stuff I can find at Home Depot and it laughs at me. I am a little nervous now when I hear leaves rustling at night and often check on my children expecting to find trumpet vine sprouting up in their bed. They are seriously trying to take over the world and are winning. In all seriousness, no matter what you think about it being easy at first, once it really gets a foothold you will never win. It will conquer your yard, house, and neighborhood. Please think at least five times before even thinking about buying this thing. And then buy something else. Kudzu would be preferable to this stuff!!

On Jun 8, 2008, woodensandals from Merrick, NY wrote:

I am trying to rid my yard of this awful plant. It's a curse on the garden. It was planted at my house somewhere between 1958 and 1965 so "Audrey" is older and more established than I am. I'm not sure if I will win this battle.

It traveled under my solid cement front stoop. It is growing in 8 places right now. Considering it's been around so long I think it's been taking tips from terrorist supporting countries that build their base camps near schools with children. Every place it comes up is next to a plant I can't bear to harm. (my two old roses, and some very healthy azaleas)

Please, anyone thinking of planting this weed - Stop!
Buy a nice clematis or some harmless marigolds. Save yourself the lifelong battle.

On May 23, 2008, LHicks from Charlotte, NC wrote:

I had this in a pot on my patio when we lived in a condo and although it had plenty of leaf growth, it never bloomed. Last spring, I planted it in a hill garden which is several feet behind the house. It had 1 bloom. this year it's coming up again and so far it's only growing in the hole that I planted it in. When I saw a note indicating it attracts Japanese Beetles, I felt sick. Those beetles tried to destroy my rose bushes last year and the last thing I want to do is attract them with little orange calling cards. Thankfully it's just beginning to grow and is only about 12" high. After reading the rest of the plant file information on this plant, I'm truly regretting the day I bought it. When I get home from work tomorrow, I'm going to dig it up, put it in a garbage bag, add some weed kil... read moreler, throw it away and hope I caught it before it got a stronghold on my garden.

On May 20, 2008, JuniorMintKiss from Tremonton, UT (Zone 6a) wrote:

My husband and I have two trumpet vines on our property since moving into our house last summer. Sadly, the previous homeowners were extreme nature lovers and let every plant on the property careen outta control (because it was "natural") and these vines were suffering for a good pruning. So we did that and now they're a treat to have.
Our house used to be a horse corral and so we have these iron pipe fences around our property. In the back are these two vines, all by their lonesome, and that's how they like to be. Yes, these vines are invasive, so keep one step ahead of them. If you are adamant about having one of these vines, please plant it in a nice secluded area, away from neighboring trees and your house or other wall (unless you'd like to have it grow there). That's why I am... read more putting a positive on this plant because we have them planted so that they are by themselves and can do what they want. They also make a great privacy screen and that's what my husband and I are shooting for. Sadly, they do beckon ants. But I've never seen so many hummingbirds around as I did last year when they were in full bloom. Smell good too.
As far as rashiness...I was all over in them last year and I came away clean (but maybe that's just me). So just be careful where you plant and keep 'em pruned.

On Apr 27, 2008, DLKeur from Sandpoint, ID wrote:

I haven't had one in 15 years, and I'd love to get another. I tried a start from someone's, and it didn't take, which rather surprised me, since I thought they were quite easy to start from cuttings.

When I had mine before I moved, it crawled up a big pine tree, too, like someone else here mentions. It was absolutely beautiful. I never had problems with it spreading, but that may be dumb luck since I planted it in a sunken plastic cargo container. If it is as invasive as suggested by some, I think I'd recommend planting it in a container sunken into the soil. I do that with a lot of my plants.

On Mar 20, 2008, guspuppy from Warren, OH (Zone 5b) wrote:

I love the look of the plant and flowers, but it is way too invasive, comes up all through the yard by underground runners and we haven't come up with a way to contain it. I keep digging up the runners and/or spraying them with woody brush killer, it does help some without killing the main plant but OMG.lol
Kathy

On Nov 18, 2007, lshields from Sag Harbor, NY wrote:

4 years ago we planted trumpet vine at various locations along a fence along with clematis and wisteria. Goal was to hide the fence and compete with extremely invasive asian climbing vine which is impossible to completely get rid of and also spread by birds eating its berries. The plan has worked for the most part but of the 3 vines trumpet vine grew the slowest and was the last vine to flower. But so far would do it again. Hoping to get more hummingbirds from it over time. The orange flower variety grew substantially faster than the yellow.

Update 11/2008
6th year produced many flowers on 1 plant that gets the most sun. A true hummingbird magnet, but absolutely essential to plant in a "safe" place where it can take over and go wild.

On Sep 14, 2007, SimbiDlo from Snyder, TX wrote:

ehh, I gotta put neutral because I do like the flowers and all but the thing is so invasive! It attracts fire ants here and it is near impossible to kill. We have it completly covering our chicken pen and my grandmother has tried every legal herbacide to get rid of it, it just won't die!

On Jul 5, 2007, gateatlantis from Brewton, AL wrote:

I was wondering, in Alabama we have a vine called the Cow-itch Vine that grows out of control. Is the Trumpet Vine or Hummingbird Vine the same thing as the Cow-itch Vine.

On Jun 13, 2007, kevins432 from Merchantville, NJ (Zone 6b) wrote:

TRUMPET VINE CAN PENETRATE ASPHALT DRIVEWAY!!!

My neighbor, who has since moved, planted a trumpet vine 6 yrs. ago on our property line. It was placed about 2 feet from my cement driveway. Her intentions were to attract hummingbirds. That's nice, I thought.

Anyway, my cement driveway was cracking so I had it removed and replaced with a new asphalt driveway about 7 months ago.

To my dismay, 3 days ago my wife found a 10" long shoot from this trumpet vine that had pushed itself right up through the new asphalt. It left the asphalt looking like a mini volcano had erupted from it. So much for the nice new driveway look.

I dug around the host plants base to see if I could remove the vine but main root seems to be disappearing ... read moreunder the new driveway. Nice, huh? To top it off, the vine seems like it’s heading in the direction of our brand new addition.

I really didn't know anything about this beast so I scoured the Internet for some insight. What I found were many first hand accounts describing the aggressive/ destructive nature of this Beast.

* Spreads up to 40-50 ft from host plant
* Strangles plants, trees
* Invades gardens, robbing them of nutrients
* Ants love this plant
* Crawls up houses and gets under siding. Rips gutters from house
* Causes skin irritation in some cases
* Many, many more negatives

This research has led me to two conclusions. First, this plant should not be sold without explicit written instructions as to where it should be planted to reduce potential damage to their the purchasers and others property. (I never would have thought it could punch a hole up and through asphalt)

Secondly, local governments should enact zoning laws prohibiting this vine to be planted anywhere close (at least 50 ft) to another’s property.

I'm sure my ex-neighbor didn't realize what a Pandora's box this would turn out to be but she's gone now and I'm stuck with the problem. If she were provided with detailed information about the veins destructive tendencies I would bet she would not have selected it.

I have not read anywhere on the web that this vine could penetrate asphalt driveways so I thought I'd let all of you know of just how aggressive this innocent looking plant can be.

If you're thinking about planting this near your house or someone else's property, you’d better think twice about it. This vine is NOT WORTH IT. There are different vines out there to choose from that don't cause anywhere as much havoc and destruction.

If you already planted it near something you care about whether it be the house, shed, tree, whatever, I'd suggest that you kill the vein before it's too late. The longer you wait, the more it spreads and the more difficult it will be to kill.

I purchased 2 vine control products to hopefully get rid of this thing.
Vine-X ® Vine & Brush Control, and Roundup® Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer Plus Concentrate.

The battle lines have been drawn and this war has begun. Kill the Beast!

On May 28, 2007, JonthanJ from Logansport, IN wrote:

While I would be very careful with this plant, even here in Zone 5, I was surprised to see that Frank Lloyd Wright had used it at Falling Water in the late 1930's. The better use was in 5' diameter planters on one of the terraces. It was in the ground by the bridge over the creek too, but the soil at the site is very thin so the usual underground spreading is limited. They used Wisteria up at the guest house. I am sure the gardeners were instructed to handle both of them pretty fiercely.

I'd go for a big planter with serious trellising in full sun and prune hard to keep it within bounds and remove all seedpods before they open. Mature plants bloom on new wood so any damage frost or your pruning might do is unlikely to prevent blooming.

On May 21, 2007, faitfarm from Romeoville, IL wrote:

We bought two small starts of this vine about 5 years ago, and planted it on an isolated 4x8 trellis in our back yard. It grew to the top the first year, though one of the vines was clipped off by rabbits. It blooms consistently from early June though July. I trim it back to the trellis each fall, and it is one of the earliest plants to green up in our yard. I have not had any problems with runners, but it is surrounded by grasses that are mowed regularly. This makes a great privacy barrier, and the flowers are beautiful.

On Apr 26, 2007, dirondi from Sherman, TX wrote:

I like this plant and have 4 growing up and over a pergola along with mutabilis rose. The birds like it too. I usually mow down the new sprouts since they almost always come up outside of the bed where the plants are.

On Mar 11, 2007, technodweeb from New Lenox, IL wrote:

I saw a beautiful specimen in No. California when I lived there. It was amazing and wonderful.

My mother had this growing in her yard, but it never bloomed (shade). She warned that I really had to WANT this plant if I took some. She said "beware, don't say I didn't warn you."

I found volunteers all over her back patio area, so I took some and I've planted it along my chain link fence.

They have bloomed in less than 3 years. I pruned it back hard during a fluke warm day we had recently.

So far, I don't have runners. I've caught it trying a couple of times. I plan on "spading" around the base of each this spring to prevent long underground runners. (as recommended by someone on this forum!)

I've ordered a yel... read morelow variety for an area that has horrific clay soils in a remote area.

I've found it to be well mannered, SO FAR. Although, I saw what it did in my mothers patio area.

Wish me luck!

On Mar 6, 2007, drmhou from Houston, TX wrote:

Ok, I want to report some success in killing trumpet vine. I had a rather insidious one that was very well established growing up a tree in my yard. Yes, the flowers (way way up in the tree) were lovely but the suckers in my bedding and yard were a nightmare. I searched the web for a "kill method" and tried several, including soaking the suckers in pure RoundUp (which the plant actually seemed to like). I finally happened upon a product called Vine-X on the web. I was understandably skeptical but desparate for a solution. None of my local garden shops carried it so I ordered it online. Because my vine had about a 2 inch diameter stem, I ordered the large stem version. You apply it with a brush and I did two fairly heavy applications about 10 days apart to the stem as low as I coul... read mored reach to as high as I could reach. I expected to need to reapply in the spring as my application was during a typically dormant (November) season. Good news is that so far, so good. The vine appears dead and is actually falling of the tree. So far, no suckers, which is a miracle to me, in and of itself. Just a suggestion for those who are as desparate as I was for a solution. Don't know if it would work for everyone but it did for me.

On Jan 29, 2007, azsunnygrl from Tucson, AZ wrote:

I planted two of these vines on either side of my driveway on my carport roof support. On the plus side hummingbirds really seem to like them. On the negative side, they are usually full of ants. My husband and daughter hate them because unless trimmed they stick out into the carport and scratch up the cars. Once trimmed, they seem to bush out even worse. One of the vines has climbed up a tree next to the carport and is about 20 feet high. I have shoots coming up on the other side of yard about 10 feet from the original vine. I do like the vine, I just wish I had planted it somewhere else!

On Nov 8, 2006, terikaz from Kalamazoo, MI (Zone 5a) wrote:

My husband and I purchased our trumpet vine in hopes of hiding the ugly power pole that our energy company was kind enough to put in our yard, right next to our driveway. I have very MINIMAL pruning and am thrilled with the beauty of the blooms along with all the birds and butterflies it attracts. I have asked my neighbors if it in anyway bothers them and have received no negative responses. After 8 years, our vine is about 20 feet tall and I would not think of destroying it. The birds love to hide in the leaves all summer and it gives them a place to sit while waiting for their turn at the feeders.

On Oct 25, 2006, QueenieBee from Anthony, FL wrote:

This plant was on my property when I bought it over 7 years ago. It grows along my fence line (away from my house). We cut it back every year and so far it seems to stay where it is.

We love it because it keeps our yard full of hummingbirds!

Zone 8b

On Sep 23, 2006, turbosbabe96 from Ingleside, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

I saw the reddish-orange blooms..and cringed!!!! My neighbors "LOVE" the vine! I tolerated it as long as I could.When the Japanese Beetles and Whiteflies began to take over..I said, Enuff is Enuff!! Snipped the "mother" vines..and thank goodness the beast is dying..Good riddance and take the nuisance pests with you!!!

On Sep 2, 2006, erica42 from Wellsboro, PA (Zone 4b) wrote:

My trumpet vine has probably had about 15 blooms total in the 10+ years I've had it. Some years no blooms at all, but always lots of vine and greenery; you can almost watch it grow. I have moved it to other areas around my house - thinking more sun, etc., still no blooms and, of course, it comes back in full force where I dug it up, even though I 'thought' I got it all. While I don't hate it, I have found it to be a disappointment.

On Aug 20, 2006, nonillion from West Brookfield, MA (Zone 5b) wrote:

Campsis x tagliabuana 'Madame Galen' Trumpet Vine and Campsis grandiflora 'Morning Calm' Chinese Trumpet Vine are improved versions and not as aggressive as Campsis radicans. Not evergreen here, and needs 2-3 years to get used to its spot before starting to grow well. Hummingbirds love it, and so do I.

On Aug 2, 2006, Irish9b from Sun City, AZ wrote:

This has been a great plant for me in in Phoenix. I have 3 0r 4 that grow as bushes up by the southwest side of my house for shade. They are old plants and kept in trim. I love the hummers. I also have planted one 2 yrs ago on a steel fence for privacy. Just have to be willing to do some trimming.

On Jul 22, 2006, breachofwaters from Hudson, FL wrote:

Trumpet Creeper is native. I can see where some may call it invasive, but I agree that calling a native plant invasive is not the correct way to characterize this plant. I prefer to use a term I read on a web site which is pro-trumpet creeper (for the sake of the humming birds): trumpet creeper is "rambunctious."

I am somewhat ambivalent about this plant, but give it a "positive" because I think it is a nice native plant that is misunderstood and mis-used.

I have lived with trumpet creeper for the past twenty years. We inherited well-established trumpet creeper from the previous owners of our home on a little over an acre in Zone 9a (Nature Coast of Florida). Much of that timeframe(while I was working full time, raising my children, going to school...) o... read moreur property was neglected, and the trumpet creeper was left to its own devices.

Wandering: Our trumpet creeper has worked its way from our back yard to the neighbor's five-acre parcel, where it has climbed up some 60-70' pines. It has also climbed up our oaks of varying sizes, and has practically draped several areas of our property as it has worked its way westward mostly, and I am now finding shoots at least 75 feet from the original vine.

Recently I was sitting outside on my doorstoop in the early morning, sipping on hot coffee, and watching a virtual humming bird war overhead, as the birds swooped from vine to vine, all in full bright-red bloom (our vines have always bloomed profusely). I had read somewhere that killing or eradicating trumpet creeper is a little bit like throwing the baby out with the bath water, and that made sense to me. So, I have decided to make peace with our trumpet creeper and try to rein it in, but I do not intend to kill it all or eradicate it; I merely intend to put it back in its place. I do not believe it will be an impossible effort based on the headway I have made so far.

I have cleared some areas that have been draped with overgrowth from our trumpet creeper (and other vines) to find the effort not very tedious or time-consuming. Several hours and a pile of vines later, the area is cleared, and plants that were underneath seem to be alive and in good shape, some even thriving. Having witnessed the resilience of this amazing plant, I do not put the pile of cut vines anywhere near our compost pile, neither do I leave them untended on the ground for long: I promptly burn them!

A lawn mower definitely helps with keeping new shoots cut back. Yes, they will resprout from the roots, but each time seem to be smaller, closer to the ground: I may do more to get rid of these shoots when I have time. The lawn mower is a quick and effective, albeit temporary control.

The vines which have climbed up and lived on our 50-foot or more tall oak these past two decades do not seem to have done the oak any damage at all. The vines that made their way to our concrete block house and started to climb up the walls came off easily but had done damage to the paint. Where the vines have climbed up a tree I do not want them in, I have been able to cut them off close to the base, pull on the vine, and it comes right down with little stress or strain: it does not wrap round and round the base it is growing on like some invasive vines (like air potato) do. Of course, measures have to be taken to keep the roots from regrowing: heavy mulch, herbicide, digging up the roots...

This is a plant that can -- and does -- propagate itself at least four or five different ways: seeds, runners, air layering, layering...

As for skin irritations: I have worked with it with short sleeves and my bare hands and have never noticed any skin irritation from doing so, but then I do not suffer from allergies as a rule.

Recently, I have opened a registered nursery, and I do intend to sell this vine with careful information and instructions about how to handle it and manage it. Trumpet creeper I have potted so far is behaving nicely. Like a spirited child, trumpet creeper, properly managed, is an exciting asset. I would rather have my world with some trumpet creeper in it than not. My five-year-old granddaughter, who along with her siblings and mom lives with me, calls trumpet creeper blooms "honey flowers" and she delights in sipping the nectar from the base of every one she can reach, which is not nearly as many as she would like!

If you elect to plant trumpet creeper, do so with delight: just don't turn your back on it for too long.

On Jul 16, 2006, russelltdog from Kenner, LA (Zone 9a) wrote:

This plant grows as a weed in southeastern Louisiana. It is difficult to eradicate because the roots must be removed.

On Jun 17, 2006, MalvaFan from Morrice, MI wrote:

To keep my trumpet vines from becoming the "Plant That Ate Cleveland" I keep them well pruned. I like to keep them in a shrub-like form. I read from some gardening book they flower better from new wood. As for the risk of contact dermatitis from Campsis radicans I have not experianced any, but to be careful one could just wear gloves. Besides morning glories, they are a great hummingbird lure.

On May 18, 2006, mrsbrooks from Bowling Green, KY wrote:

This is horrible stuff. I have it growing all over the property, and have instucted my husband to mow down every shoot he sees. We had to cut it from the side of the garage with a chainsaw the root was so big! The most effective thing I have found is to cut them while fairly small and immediately spray it with Roundup Tough Brush killer. It seems to have worked so far on the ones that were growing up, around, and finally inside the house. Whew! This stuff is almost as bad as chameleon, but I have had some success killing trumpet vine, and none whatsoever in killing the chameleon.

On May 12, 2006, Meredith79 from Southeastern, NH (Zone 5b) wrote:

I wanted one of these for my hummingbird garden collection. Even after reading all the negative ratings, I recently purchased one. I just bought an iron arbor to grow it on. I am hoping this will be sturdy enough to support this heavy vine. I got an idea from another forum to plant it in a five gallon bucket with the bottom cut out. They mentioned that it typically sends out shoots from the side not the bottom. So it should help keep it under control. It needs to be heavily pruned annually to control growth. If you are concerned about damage, it shouldn't be planted near trees, houses or on anything that it can't be controlled by pruning. It has been known to take down trees and walls. I do have to disagree with the comments that it is invasive. I know every one's definition of invasive is... read more different. To me a native plant can't be invasive and this is a native. I purchased mine at the New England Wild Flower Society Garden in the woods in Framingham, MA. They only sell natives and are very against invasive plants and would not sell it if it was. In my mind an invasive plant is, a non-native plant that contributes to the extinction of native plants. Such as the case with japanese honeysuckle. I think very aggressive would be a better discription. I also know that they will not bloom if they do not get full sun, or if the plant is too young. I think the soonest they'll bloom is at 3 and up to 5 years old. So that might be why so many people have not seen them bloom. If they are trying to eradicate it, maybe they only have plants that are less than 3 years old. I am giving it a neutral because I haven't planted it yet. Who knows I might regret planting this years from now, but I am hoping for the best. After reading another post about this being a native invasive not an exotic invasive I feel the need to post the definition of invasive as defined by the NEWFS: Invasive species – a non-native (adventitious) species that is capable of moving aggressively into a habitat and monopolizing resources such as light, nutrients, water, and space to the detriment of other species.

On Apr 22, 2006, Deanlynn from Tarzana, CA wrote:

I am confused as to the negative comments on this vine.
We have a number of Trumpet vines trained to cover our pergola. We find them very slow growing and not at all difficult to keep under control. Is it possible that ours in not the same plant. Ours is called Bigonia Cherere or disticitis buccinatoria.

On Feb 27, 2006, nichelob_lite from North Highlands, CA wrote:

Well what can I say, it is a very invasive plant, and thats an understatement! Although it has beautiful flowers and it attracts hummingbirds it also attracts ants. Do not grow this plant unless it can be contained.

On Jan 25, 2006, melody from Benton, KY (Zone 7a) wrote:

This sweet little seedling vine that looks so innocent and harmless will grow up to be a 30 foot monster with roots to China. As stated above, pulling it just makes more, as it has the ability to sprout new plants from even the tiniest piece left in the ground.

I do enjoy it along the roadways and covering the abandoned barns, but wouldn't want it on my property...I've got one that I've been trying to kill for the last 5 years, and nothing seems to work.

On Jan 4, 2006, redhed4nu from Burchard, NE (Zone 5b) wrote:

These do have their place in the garden, if you can keep them contained! Ours (we have seven) have been trained into little 6-7' trees lining our driveway. The people who owned the property before us started them in the late 80's and they are still going strong... Trained on steel fence or hedge posts, and pruned once a year, they pretty much stay where they should. When the seed pods show up, we cut them right away, before they dry and are broadcast all over our yard. Once in a while, an unwanted vine will pop up on the wrong side of the driveway, so we nip it off and spray it. These are quite pretty, but I imagine if we decided to get rid of them permanently, it would be quite a job. I spent two afternoons pruning and trimming, and I didn't break out in a rash or anything of that s... read moreort. I did have finches swooping at me trying to get me out of their tree, though.

On Sep 2, 2005, LarryDavid from Salt Lake City, UT (Zone 5b) wrote:

I absolutely love this vine. I have an orange and a red one in my yard. It attracts all kinds of pollinators to my garden and the hummingbirds love it! I have found it pretty easy to control as well. I just pull up the plants that germinate in the summer. It's positive features far out weigh the negative features. Two thumbs up for this great vine!

On Aug 17, 2004, jestelleoan from Tyler, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:

This plant is very invasive here in Texas. It gives me a rash and it is a pain in the neck. It has taken me years of trying to get rid of it.

On Aug 11, 2004, BethG_58 from Homosassa, FL (Zone 9a) wrote:

Trumpet Vine experience in Zone 9a, Citrus County, FL

Invasive? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely.

If you're into sculptured landscapes and well-tended gardens, DON'T plant this, unless you are ready to put lots of time into making it behave. However, if you're like me, and you just love the beautiful colors & the hummingbirds it attracts, and you don't mind the natural, untamed look, and you have an area, away from structures you don't want torn down, then I'd say 'Go for it!'

I had purchased several plants some years ago (I'm thinking 3 or 4). I planted one at the base of a pine tree in my front yard. This one has managed to grow about 10-12' up the tree, and I've only discovered one underground 'runner' coming off of it. As yet, this one has never... read more bloomed, and really seems like it is struggling. However, I had planted a second one in another area of the property. I had combined it with some of the 'native' vines that grow unchecked here in zone 9a, like Pepper Vine. I'd used metal conduit to create a 'teepee' for the vines to cover, intending it to become a vine-covered mound, which I hoped would attract wildlife & birds. Well, it definitely did become a vine-covered mound, although the Trumpet vine had not yet bloomed on it. About 6-8 months ago, darling hubby, out doing his 'yard work', decided the area needed to be cleaned up, and thinking it was just a pile of weeds, tore it all down and mowed the area. LOL...now the Trumpet Vine has found its way to an area about 30' away, and has happily made its home in neighboring palm trees and all along the ground in the vicinity. It literally has covered an area of at least 15'x15'. Much to my delight, I discovered that it is blooming this year too!! I've got to remember to thank hubby! :)

Now, I know where I'll be putting in the other vines I was planning to add for the hummers. I can't wait to see all off them come into bloom!

On Aug 2, 2004, maphead from Vancouver, WA wrote:

A mature red vine was one of the selling points of the house we purchased in '02. Hummers loved it and it was a big, shady beauty on the eastside of the house and garage.
Last year we had to dig the sucker out of the area surrounding the waste out-flow pipe where it knotted roots into the pipe to get nutrients and water. This year the remnants have shot up and I am concerned that the pipe will be blocked again soon since we are having another drought this year.

Removing the vine from the house has helped us control sweet seeking ants that previously invaded without ceasing.

I have dug up around the foundation of the house and brought up root sections 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. I left the hole open to see what might show up. Sure enough, sprouts, ... read morefull on, with long tendrils and leaves where present within three days of our seeming massacre. Now it feels like a losing game to find *any* more segments and get them out.

This was a great mature plant - plenty of seed pods, beautiful blooms and thick leafy shade around our east facing windows. Previous owners placed well thought out trellis across windows to really use the shade. I am sorry to try to eradicate it but last year's bill for pipe work convinced me. Further, the gutters, roofing tile and window frames were being systematically pried away from the house by the vine. We still have not gotten all the woody remnants off the house.

I welcome any suggestions for slowing or terminating growth of the remaining root knuckles that are exposed. (I just can't dig up any more of the yard or Sweetie will be really sad with me.) We have lots of other great plants and have a 'chem-free' operation going.

On Jul 26, 2004, Jamespayne from Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

Feel fortunate you have all of these positive, neutral, and negative responses to the Trumpet Creeper. Obviously, this is one plant you must THINK about BEFORE you plant. I built a HUGE trellis for my 2 to grow on in zone 9a, and so far no negavative results! If I can keep Japanese Honeysuckle under control, I don't forsee any problems with my Campsis radicans!

On Jun 23, 2004, TodPA from Malvern, PA wrote:

Wow, I never knew so many people has such strong feelings about trumpet vine! We have had a trumpet vine on our property in S.E. PA for 35 years, and while it is true that it tends to spread with time, ours is controllable with a little vigilance and more than makes up for it's "enthusiasm" with prolific flowers which by themselves attract several hummingbirds every year. (Perhaps some people's vines don't flower because they don't get enough sun?) In my hummingbird garden, pretty much nothing is as popular with the hummers. Also, we have never noticed any skin rash or reaction, having handled the plant many, many times.

On Jun 8, 2004, jinglecat from Pittsburgh, PA wrote:

The plant came with the house and I wondered what it was at first. With it's bold colors I thought it looked poisonous. I have never had a problem with it being invasive and have never gotten a rash or skin irritation from it. It is on a free standing trellis and at the top hangs over like an umbrella. This year it doesn't seem to be growing. It is an older plant with a thick trunk and so far this year I have seen no green shoots or leaves. I hear how hard it is to kill, but something seems to have affected this one. The winter wasn't particularly harsh and I used no chemicals on the lawn or garden. I have 2 new young plants that seem to be growing.
I'm unhappy that the old plant is dead, it is part of the character of the house. I wish it would take over my hillside, instead... read more I have a horrible viney weed that doesn't bloom and is killing my ivy.

On Jun 2, 2004, DAWNMEIER from Winchester, VA wrote:

My first apartment had a trumpet vine in the back yard and I vowed to have one in my own yard someday. I planted one about 4-5 years ago in my yard along the fence line and it has taken off quite well in spite of my two dogs playing tug-o-war with it. But I haven't gotten any blooms on it yet. I'm not sure if there is a dormant stage after planting or the blame lies with the pups. This year it's surrounded by fence and away from the dogs. Will it bloom? We'll have to wait and see.

On Apr 18, 2004, DaraMV wrote:

Don't bother with this vine. It is invasive and hard to get rid of. Every spring I have to pull out shoots that come up. You have to remove any roots in the ground or else they'll keep coming back, but preventing that is almost impossible!

On Nov 8, 2003, TerriFlorida from Plant City, FL wrote:

Luckily for me, I saw this vine in glorious flower, covering a house and obviously doing damage to it in Riverview. It was scary to look at. Think of kudzu and walk away...

On Sep 18, 2003, margaretx from Houston, TX (Zone 9b) wrote:

Same here in Houston. Lousy thing comes up all over in the beds, in other peoples yards, in the patio and we've tried to burn, poison it, NEVER pull it, that just makes more! I've given up and just try to keep it out of where I don't want it. Doesn't pull the hummingbirds the way other plants do.

On Sep 17, 2003, ChiTown from Chicago, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:

I have a Tumpet Vine on an 8-foot fence between a paved parking lot and a sidewalk, which contain its invasiveness nicely. It has "extra-floral nectaries" like peonies and peach trees, which draw (among many other things) a large black and yellow wasp that's almost as spectacular as the blossoms. The wasps are imposing but haven't harmed anyone. Haven't seen any ants, though. And there's a delicious drop of nectar if you break off a blossom carefully and suck on the base, like honeysuckle. This year for the first time I have seed pods.

On Jul 27, 2003, cmoon from Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 9b) wrote:

Mine does not have thorns, nor is it itchy, but it will take over the world. Shoots come up from the roots and the seeds will blow over the universe. it also attracts ants and will pull down a tree.

Mine came with the house and the original is about 18 inches in diameter at the base. It also puts out fingers to dig into wood or brick, but it's beautiful and bees and hummers love it. Roundup and brush killers don't hurt it.

On Apr 19, 2003, MartyJo from Fayette, IA (Zone 4b) wrote:

I had great sentimental attachment to this plant, recalling it from my grandmother's garden. Alas, its invasiveness keeps me from recommending it to anyone. If it is completely surrounded by areas that can be mown, it's beautiful and attracts hummingbirds - but it's a thug! Will come up everywhere, in beds as far as 20 feet away. Plant at your own risk.

On Mar 3, 2003, lifesavers2001 wrote:

I have a Trumpet Vine in my garden also. I found it very invasive. I had to completely dig it up and remove all the roots to stop it.

So when I decided to move it to another place, I planted it in a 5 gallon black plastic pot. First I cut the bottom of the pot out, dug a hole for the pot to set in about half way up the side, filled with my garden dirt, planted the vine.

It is now contained and I do not have the invasive shoots in any other part of my flower bed. It has been there three seasons now and so far I have not had any extra shoots coming out of the ground as it did in the other spot. I find that any plant that is know to be invasive can be planted in this manner to contain it.

On Sep 1, 2002, JoanneC wrote:

I have a beautiful orange Trumpet Vine that needs very little care. Other than bright sun, she needs very little and is also drought tolerant. But I do have one problem...she attracts ANTS!

Also, I do not trim vigorously, only the dead shoots in the spring. I also cut off (dead head) the seed pods. (Only if a friend wants one, will I plant a few seeds to get a new plant.)

A little messy but the vibrant flowers and the Hummingbirds are well worth it!!

On Aug 19, 2002, taufiq wrote:

I love the vine as it covers a trellis and gives good isolation from my neighbour. I am concerned tho at the amount of shoots popping out all over the place, even 30 feet from the plant!
Ive heard that if you cut off the pods or 'deadhead' the plant (whatever that means) it will control it somewhat.
Hardy plant and likes full sunlight, very tolerable to different soil types.

On May 22, 2002, alexrk1 wrote:

I have (2) Trumpet Vines they are very rapid growers but with trimming it is a wonderful vine this year I am going to try mixing it with some climbing Roses on a trellis.

On Aug 3, 2001, Floridian from Lutz, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

The plant can cause rash on some people