Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Other Names: Cross-vine, Trumpet Flower

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Flowering Vine – Evergreen in South; Semi-Deciduous to Deciduous in North

Height or Length at Maturity: 10’+

Spacing: 4-6′ apart to cover fences

Growth Habit / Form: Climbing, Twining

Growth Rate: Very Fast

Flower Color: Golden-Yellow w/ Red to Burgundy throat

Flower Type: Single, Trumpet

Flower Size: 2″ long, 1-1.5″ wide

Flowering Period: Spring sometimes reblooms in Summer

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun, All Day Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Silt, Sand

Soil Drainage: Moist But Well Drained; occasionally Dry or Wet

Soil pH: 6.5 – 8.0

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Pollinators

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect, Occasional Wet Soil, Occasional Dry Soil

Description

A vigorous vine unrivaled in flower power, this is the original species: Bignonia capreolata, commonly known as Crossvine. It is an easy-to-grow floriferous North American native vine that quickly covers fences (from top to bottom), arbors and other structures without being invasive. LOADS of fragrant, bicolor, golden-yellow trumpet flowers with burgundy-red throats put on a stunning color show in spring, often reblooming in summer and/or fall. Though a native, its large, glossy, deep green to reddish-purple leaves and vines, which climb by using tendrils to wrap around supports such as trees, arches, pergolas, fences and other structures, provide a tropical look in the landscape. Excellent for growing up the trunks of pines and other tall trees in full sun to all-day dappled shade. The leaves usually remain evergreen in deep South zones 8a to 9b with subsequent leaf drop in the northern Zones 6a to 7b.

A cross section of the Crossvine’s stem reveals a marking resembling the Greek cross, hence the common name.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing up to 50 feet in height or length (however tall or long the support structure), but more often at 10 to 15 feet depending on the height of the structure it is growing on, the Crossvine is ideal for use to climb on and cover fences, from top to bottom, or trellises, arches, pergolas, arbors or any other structures its vines can twine around. Also excellent to climb tall tree trunks in sites that receive full sun to all-day filtered sun or dappled shade. What’s really nice is that rather than just growing along just the top of a fence, the vines cascade all the way down to the ground to entirely cover the fence. A fine addition to hummingbird and butterfly gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, native plant gardens, tropical look gardens, yellow or red theme gardens, and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 4 to 6 feet apart to covers fences

Growing Preferences

The Crossvine is exceptionally easy to grow in most any average, moist but well-drained soil of average to low fertility. It grows in full sun or shade, however flowers heavier with more sun. We recommend at least 6 hours of direct sunlight or all-day filtered sunlight for best flowering. Established plants tolerate both wet and dry periods. Pruning isn’t necessary, however the vines can be pruned annually after flowering to control size.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Bignonia Crossvines.

How To Plant & Care For Bignonia Crossvine

How To Train Vines To Grow On A Fence, Pole, Trellis Or Wall

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Questions? Contact Us!

The Bignoia- Crossvine- 3 Gallon pot came very well packed and protected. The vine was quite large, very healthy , and even had some flowers on it. It was perfect! Thank you!——————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This vine hit the ground running, due to its size. We have kept it watered and protected from any pests, and it has rewarded us with some early blooms. It is sending tendrils along support toward the tree it is planted by. This morning I noticed six more blooms ready to open soon. We are very happy with this plant.—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG