Description

General aspect and origins - Campsis grandiflora is also known as Bignonia grandiflora, Campsis chinensis, Tecoma grandiflora and more often as the Chinese trumpet creeper. This decidious vine is native to China and Japan and is a close relative of C. radicans. C. grandiflora has large orange-red flowers that appear in summer.
Leaves - Leaves are decidious, 8-12 in (20-30 cm) long, serrated, green to dark-green, pinnate, with 7-9 lanceolate and oval leaflets.
Flowers - Flowers appear in summer. They are trumpet shaped, orange or red and grouped in terminal clusters of 6-12 flowers. Each flower is about 4-6 in (10-15 cm) long.
Fruits - Fruits are flattened pods that contain numerous winged seeds.

Culture

This vine is worth growing for its tropical-looking flowers and is well-adapted to temperate climates of USDA zones 7-9. It can be tried in most sheltered places of USDA zone 6.
Soil - C. grandiflora can grow in a relative large range of soils. (Even fairly alcaline.) However, it will prefer deep, fertile and well-drained grounds. Once established, it can withstand occasional droughts.

Propagation

This plant can be propagated by seeds, ripe wood cuttings or air-layers.