Marcus, Joseph A.
Bignonia capreolata L.
Crossvine
Bignoniaceae (Trumpet-Creeper Family)
A climbing, woody
vine reaching 50 ft. long with showy, orange-red, trumpet-shaped flowers 2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches across which hang in clusters of two to five. They are sometimes seen high in a
tree, as the
vine climbs by means of tendrils. Claws at the end of its tendrils allow crossvine to cling to stone, bricks and fences without support. Leaves are
opposite, 4–6 inches long by 2 inches wide, with a third
leaflet modified into a tendril. Persistent, glossy,
semi-evergreen leaves change from dark green in summer to reddish-purple in winter.
Image Gallery:
45 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Vine Leaf Retention: Evergreen Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf Texture: Waxy
Fruit Type: Legume Size Notes: Can climb to 36-50 feet.
Leaf: Dark green, with purplish
venation and stems in winter
Flower: Flowers 2 inches long.
Fruit: Brown 4 to 8 inch pods
Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Bloom can be brick red with yellow throats, yellow with brick red throats, some other combination of those two colors, or completely brick red.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: FL to e. TX, n. to MD, WV, & the Ohio R. valley, Zones 6 to 9
Native Habitat: Forested floodplains and uplands, hammocks, fencerows, limestone escarpments
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, acidic or calcareous soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Some shade is tolerated, but the best flowering is achieved in full sun. Tolerates brief flooding.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: An
evergreen vine with glossy leaves and showy, two-tone, trumpet flowers.
Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers. An early
nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer browse it in winter.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: No
2009-02-17
