Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants

See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer

Not Yet Rated

Monday - August 22, 2011

From: Prairie City, IA
Region: Midwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Planting, Propagation, Transplants, Vines
Title: Transplanting trumpet creeper in Prairie City, IA
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have a Trumpet Creeper that I would like to transplant. How do you do that?

ANSWER:

Go first to our webpage on Campsis radicans (Trumpet creeper) by following this link; after you have read all the information you might decide you don't want an invasive plant like this. It does serve purposes such as erosion control and attracting hummingbirds-we just wanted to make sure we made Full Disclosure.

On that page, you will find this:

"Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings , Root Cuttings
Description: Take 3-4 inch, new growth semi-hardwood cuttings from May through October. Root cuttings of strong parts of current seasons root growth also used, but require more treatment.
Seed Collection: Gather ripe capsules when they turn brown but before they dry and split open (between 2-3 months after flowering). Remove seeds from pod, air dry, and store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Stratify 30-60 days at 41-50 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: To keep lush during droughts, water deeply on occasion. Mow to keep it from expanding beyond defined areas. Cut back branches to two buds in the winter to encourage bushier growth and more blooms."

Bottom line-you almost can't help transplanting a Trumpet Creeper if you have one on your property. If you want to propagate from one somewhere else, we would recommend the rooting of the semi-hardwood cuttings or root cuttings. From North Carolina State University, here is an article on Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings. From the same source, Plant Propagation by Leaf, Cane and Root Cuttings.

From the Image Gallery

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans