Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Size: 1 & 3 Gallon availability

Vine
50’ long

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Loam, Sand, Clay, Limestone
Sun, Part Shade

AKA: Trumpet Flower

An evergreen vine that blooms attractive, showy red-yellow tubular flowers in late winter-early spring on new growth. Attracts hummingbirds. Holdfasts (adhesive pads) at the end of its tendrils allow crossvine to cling to stone, bricks, fences, and pretty much anything else without support. It can be a fast-grower, so in a small garden it does best when kept sequestered by other plants or is isolated in a pot. It blooms most prolifically in full sun. It will tolerate brief periods of inundation but prefers well-draining spots.

It is the larval host for the rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica) and plebeian sphinx (Paratrea plebeja) moths. Acts as an early nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds, and is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds. Deer browse the foliage in winter.

An infusion of the leaves have long been used by Native Americans to treat blood disease and rheumatism. Additional medicinal uses include: decoction of bark used in baths to treat headaches, decoction of roots used as a steambath for dropsy, and more. (1)