What soil does Trumpet vine grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Trumpet vine hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Trumpet vine toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

When does Trumpet vine flower?

Flowering: June–September, orange, red.

How much water does Trumpet vine need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Trumpet vine cost?

It sells for roughly €10 to €29 in local shops, depending on size.

Trumpet vine

Campsis radicans

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a climber. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €10.

Illustration of Trumpet vine — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A very vigorous deciduous climber that clings to walls, fences and tree trunks with aerial roots and carries clusters of orange-red trumpet flowers from midsummer to early autumn, much to the liking of bees and other pollinators. It loves hot, dry, sunny spots and needs plenty of sun to flower well. It becomes heavy with age, so give it a strong pergola, fence or wall, and expect it to spread by root suckers and seed: it needs hard pruning every year and regular removal of the suckers.

Watch out for

It sends up plenty of suckers from its roots, even several metres from the parent plant, in lawns, beds and paving joints, and it also seeds itself from winged seeds; a neglected plant forms an impenetrable thicket. Plant it where you can mow around it or where paving contains it. The aerial roots grip render and mortar joints, so pulling them off damages render and paint, and the heavy woody stems can lift roof tiles and grow under eaves and into gutters, so keep it well away from the roof on a house wall. Because it flowers on the current year's shoots you can cut it back hard in early spring. Young shoots may be killed back in a hard winter, but the plant resprouts. Aphids can settle on it.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 7 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–September, orange, red

Group	Climber
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	7 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	7.6–12 m × 1.5–4 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–September, orange, red
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	yes
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	250 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €10

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
40-60 cm	approx. €10
60-80 cm	approx. €15
60+ cm	approx. €29
size not stated	approx. €16

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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