In early summer, trumpets that receive bright light are already in full flower. This specimen is probably C. grandiflora.
Trumpet vine (Campsis spp.) is deciduous climber native to the southeastern area of North America, but is such a hardy vine that it grows in most parts of the continent; C. grandiflora is the species you're most likely to see around town, because it's a bit less invasive than C. radicans. From late spring through fall in Davis, the plant sports hundreds of large trumpet-shaped orange blooms that attract both hummingbirds and ants. Trumpet vine is woody and attaches to surfaces with suckers similar to those found on ivy plants. During the winter months, the vine loses its leaves and just looks like a jumbled mass of dead twigs; sometime during late spring, it begins showing green sprouts. New growth sprouts from old vine, don't prune away any deadwood unless you don't want new growth in the spring! Trumpet vines are fast growing and over time develop a gnarled woody trunk resembling a grape vine; the vines can easily be trained around trees, along fences or on walls. Because the plant sends out new shoots fairly readily, it's easily propagated, so you can share the fun with your neighbor or friends. Trumpet vines can put up with a good amount of shade during our Davis summers, but is truly a sun-lover if you hope to see many flowers.
By late spring, this trumpet that's been trained around a Davis palm begins to leaf out. To learn more about plants that can be found around town, visit our Town Flora page.
