Common Name: Trumpet Creeper

General Information

Campsis grandiflora is a deciduous climbing shrub that can grow up to 9 metres tall. It produces aerial roots that enable it to become attached to various surfaces, including walls and the trunks of trees.
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a vigorous ground cover, and is valued especially for its spectacular flowering display[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - eastern China, Japan.

Habitat

Hillsides and roadsides in China[]. Climbs into trees and grows on rocks[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Humming birds, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Campsis grandiflora is not very cold-hardy, tolerating short-lived temperatures down to about -10°c when dormant[]. It grows better in areas with hot summers. The fresh young growth in spring is less tolerant of cold and is often damaged by late frosts[].
Succeeds in a good well-drained loam[, ] and a very sunny position[] or light shade[]. Tolerates moderately alkaline or moderately acid soils[]. In areas with cool summers, the plant requires a sunny sheltered wall if it is to flower well[, ].
The sub-species Campsis grandiflora thunbergii tolerates saline winds and succeeds in exposed maritime positions[].
Often grown as an ornamental, there are some named varieties[].
Plants can take some years to settle down before they start to flower[].
Plants attach themselves to walls, trees etc by means of adhesive, aerial roots, but they usually also need to be supported[, ]. Another report says that this species does not produce aerial roots[], whilst yet another says that the adhesive roots are sometimes only sparsely produced[].
Plants can be pruned like grapes (Vitis spp.), cutting back almost to the old growth[]. This is best carried out in the spring[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The flowers and the whole plant are blood tonic, carminative, depurative diuretic and febrifuge[, , ]. They are used in the treatment of women's complaints[, ]. A decoction of the flowers is used to correct menstrual disorders, rheumatoid pains, traumatic injuries, difficult urination, pruritis and oozing dermaphytoses[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be allowed to scramble on the ground and will form an effective ground cover, rooting at intervals along the branches[]. They can be used in larger, open spaces to cover objects such as old tree stumps or rock piles[]. They should be planted about 250cm apart each way[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse at 10°c. Two months stratification at 5°c assists germination[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long, mid summer in a frame. Slow to root but a fair percentage[, ].
Root cuttings 5cm long in December. Fair to good percentage[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[].
Layering in winter[]. Plants often self-layer[].