Trumpet vine is also known as trumpet creeper. It produces clusters of trumpet-shaped orange blooms that attract pollinators. This hardy plant adjusts easily to various soil types, prefers warmer regions, and grows best in full sunlight. However, trumpet vine spreads quickly and can become invasive if not managed carefully.
It is also slightly poisonous to humans.
How to Grow Trumpet Vine
Plant trumpet vines beside a solid wall or fence, or guide them up a strong trellis or pergola in soil that is moderately fertile, moist, yet well-draining. They also do well in large containers filled with loam-based compost mixed with grit to improve drainage.
Where to Grow Trumpet Vine
While trumpet vines can tolerate frost, they perform best in a warm, protected position, ideally against a wall or fence in colder regions. They will grow in partial shade, but full sun is essential to ripen new wood, boost hardiness, and encourage abundant blooms. Depending on the type and variety, trumpet vine can climb up to 12m with support and spread around 4m.
Compact varieties, such as Trumpet Vine Summer Jazz Fire (‘Takarazuka Fresa’), are well-suited for pots and small gardens. Since trumpet vine has a vigorous nature and can become invasive, especially in its native regions, growing it in containers helps keep its growth under control.
How to Plant Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine grows best when planted in spring or early autumn, although it can be planted at any time from autumn to spring, provided the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Choose a sheltered spot with plenty of space and a strong support for the vine to climb as it matures.
- Water the plant thoroughly before planting.
- If needed, enrich the soil with organic matter such as garden compost.
- Dig a hole bigger than the pot in width and about the same depth, positioning it around 45cm away from the wall or fence. Loosen the soil around the edges.
- Remove the plant from its container, gently spread the roots, and place it in the hole so the top of the rootball sits level with the soil.
- Backfill the hole, press the soil lightly to eliminate air pockets, then water well and mulch with compost or bark chippings.
- Tie the young shoots to supports to begin training the vine.
How to Care for Trumpet Vine
During the first year, keep your trumpet vine well-watered. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions fairly well, but it will grow and flower more reliably if watered during prolonged dry spells. Plants grown in containers need consistent watering and benefit from feeding with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer, such as tomato feed or homemade comfrey tea, to promote blooming. Applying a layer of mulch in spring or autumn helps the soil retain moisture and keeps the roots from drying out, which is an essential part of trumpet vine care.
Trumpet vines often take a few years before they begin flowering heavily. If a mature vine isn’t blooming, possible reasons include:
- Being planted in too much shade
- Receiving too much nitrogen-rich fertilizer, which promotes leafy growth instead of flowers
- Being pruned too late in spring
Since trumpet vines need full sun to ripen new wood, placing them in a bright spot is essential for abundant flowers.
If you see leaves turning yellow or brown, or premature leaf drop, check the root zone to make sure the soil isn’t excessively dry or waterlogged. In most regions, trumpet vines can survive winter outdoors if planted in a sheltered spot, such as against a sunny wall.
How to Prune Trumpet Vine
Pruning the trumpet vine each year helps manage its vigorous growth and develops a strong framework of woody stems that carry the flowering shoots. After planting, carry out formative pruning by cutting the stems back to about 15cm above the ground to encourage fresh growth. Choose two or three of the strongest new shoots, tie them to a trellis or other support, and remove the rest.
After two to three years, the framework should be established. From then on, prune side shoots back to two or three buds of the main stems in late winter or early spring, and remove any damaged or diseased wood. If the plant becomes overgrown, it can be cut back hard in February or March, reducing all stems to around 30cm from the base before retraining the new growth as if it were a young plant.
Pests and Diseases
Trumpet vines are generally trouble-free, but they may drop flower buds if the soil dries out excessively or if temperatures drop too low. While they prefer regular watering, they dislike soggy soil and can lose leaves if their roots remain in waterlogged conditions.
Occasionally, fungal problems like powdery mildew may appear as white patches on the leaves, though this is rarely severe and usually requires no treatment. The foliage can also be affected by pests such as aphids, mealybugs, or scale insects, but infestations are typically mild, and healthy, established plants usually recover without needing control measures.
