Bignonia - Crossvine, Trumpet Flower

(Bigno'nia)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of one evergreen or semi-evergreen, climbing plant. B. capreolata, commonly known as the Crossvine or Trumpet Flower, is a beautiful plant found wild from Virginia to Illinois to Florida and Louisiana. This vigorous growing vine climbs by means of twining leaf tendrils, which are tipped with small cups that allow them to climb masonry walls. The Crossvine is suitable for growing over fences, up trellises and trees. Each leaf consists of two slender leaflets up to 5 inches long. In early summer, tubular-shaped flowers, about 2 inches long, are produced in clusters. They are orange-red with a lighter shade inside.

POTTING: The Crossvine will grow in any regular, well-drained garden soil. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring and consists of cutting off thin, weak, or old shoots and shortening any stray side shoots.

PROPAGATION: Cuttings, which have three joints, can be detached in the summer. These should be inserted in a propagating case or under a bell jar in a greenhouse where they should form roots in 6 to 10 weeks. Once they've formed a sufficient amount of roots, they are potted individually in small containers, next in 5-inch pots, and eventually outdoors.

VARIETIES: B. capreolata.

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