Trumpet Vines – Spectacular Flowering Plants For A Mediterranean Landscape Garden
Posted: Friday, March 14, 2008
by Jonathan Ya'akobi
The name "Trumpet Vine" is used for a number of climbing plants, landscape shrubs and small trees that possess prominent yellow and orange toned flowers whose shape resembles that of a flared trumpet bell. They belong to the Bignoniaceae botanical family, and although mostly of sub-tropical origin, can be grown on a tight water budget, and are hardy to light frosts. Trumpet vines are therefore ideally suited to Mediterranean and dry climate gardens.
For example, Yellow Trumpet, Tecoma stans, if pruned once or twice a year, can be maintained at a height of 3-4 meters. If left untouched, it will form into a small tree. Best results are obtained in this regard though, following careful pruning and shaping. Cape Honeysuckle , Tecoma capensis, is somewhat more vine like in growth habit and so must be regularly pruned to maintain a bushy form. Excessive pruning however will deplete the plant of its attractive orange blooms.
Different species and varieties can be combined to effect a variation on a theme, always a good strategy for creating a unified but stimulating plant composition. For instance, the cultivar, "Golden Jubilee", seemingly a hybrid between the Yellow Trumpet and Cape Honeysuckle , is almost identical in form and leaf texture as Tecoma stans, but grows spectacular orange flowers instead of yellow.
Another plant variously named "Trumpet Vine" or "Trumpet Creeper" is the rampant climber, Campsis radicans. While the shrub species mentioned, function as screens or informal hedges, Trumpet Creeper, as a self-clinging vine, can be allowed to climb up and cover a wall. No one who has seen this plant in the glory of its full bloom, (reddish-orange flowers) can remain indifferent. Campsis though, is very aggressive and it is best to avoid planting it next to the house, but rather on a freestanding wall instead.
Other combinations and associations
When choosing a plant or as in the case of Trumpet vines, a group of similar plants, it is always necessary to consider how they work with the rest of the plants in the garden. Trumpet bushes combine well for instance with a number of shrubs from the legume family. Senna corymbosa, with its yellow blooms, is a case in point as the leaf shape and texture are so similar to those of the Trumpet vines.
When choosing herbaceous material, whether annual or perennial, thought should be given to colors that either contrast well with the orange and yellow hues of the Trumpet vines, or blend in comfortably with them. In this respect, flowers like Bidens and Eschscolzia, with their respective yellow and orange colors complement subtly the dominant motif established by the different varieties of Trumpet vine.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)hi jonathan, another well written, interesting piece. i don't know where you are, but it's still cold in jersey, and i can't wait until the warmer weather, and planting can begin. i'll know who to use as my resource! thank you for sharing, best regards, sue thomHi Susan I'm writing from central Israel. The climate is very similar to Southern California I believe
Hi Jonathon, looking out my window, my garden is anything but dry at present, though in summer it is very dry. Your advice here is very helpful to those whose gardens are as you say dry climate. If you could put together something for mixed climate and limey soil that would be priceless! I spent so much time trying to find info re evergreen plants that suit limey soils, so perhaps you can write about that next? Meanwhile very well written article.Hi there C.B. Thanks for your comments. If your soil is very "limey" or alkaline, you'll forgive me for using the technical term, then you may have to add some sort of sulphur preparation to lower the pH, that is make the soil more neutral. Adding a lot of compost also has the effect of making the soil less alkaline. I think you should undertake a soil test to find out what the pH is (Acid-Alkaline scale) But you've given me an idea for an article, although you'll allow me to change the title a bit. If I call it " Superb Evergreens For A Limey Soil" people might think I'm writing from England!
Now I'm getting to learn a heck of a lot about gardening which is more then I ever knew. Thanks.Thanks Robert. Let me tell you something - I've been in this business for nearly 25 years, and learn something new everyday. Enjoy your garden Jonathan
Dear Jonathan, Thanks for article. Any suggestions on sites to study the best trumpet vine varieties for southern California? I live in Vermont but am fixing up a small cottage in socal, and I'd like a variety to grow on a trellis fence for privacy. I will have in-ground watering, and was wondering about some of the more unusual colors, such as violet. Thanks, Norianna
Dear Norianna Thanks for your questions. I'm not aware of "trumpet vines" that bloom in violet or other unusaul colors. As I mentioned in the article, the common name "trumpet vine" covers a number of species and varieties. An excellent source for Southern California plants is the Western Garden Book, published by Sunset. Good luck Jonathan
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