Campsis grandifolia 'Morning Calm'

Our native trumpet vine, aka trumpet creeper (Campis radicans), may instill fear in gardeners. A wild vine may climb a utility pole, 30- 40 feet in one year. The late horticulturist Dr. J. C. Raulston at  NC State University in Raleigh recommended its tamer Chinese cousin (C. grandiflora) and the cultivar ‘Morning Calm’.

Trumpetvine climbs and supports itself by strong rootlets or “holdfasts”. Start one on a cedar pole, tying the shoots loosely with cotton cord. Within one year the vine bonds solidly to a wooden trellis, wire fence, or a coarse surfaced brick wall. The trellis should be structurally strong to support the vine’s incredible growth and weight.

The 7-9 leaflet glossy compound leaves are 6-12 inches in length. The vine blooms on new growth and the trumpet-like flowers are clustered in numbers from 6-12, sometimes more. The dark apricot colored flower (corolla) appears from late June thru mid- August. Each trumpet flower measures 3 inches in length when fully open.

Trumpet vine grows in average garden soil, is very heat and drought tolerant, and has few enemies. The vine should be pruned aggressively in late winter. Trumpet vine benefits from liquid feeding with Miracle-Gro™ or an equivalent fertilizer containing minor nutrients.

‘Morning Calm’ attracts numerous butterflies and hummingbirds and is often falsely marketed as “hummingbird vine”.