Big, bodacious crossvines

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Have an ugly fence or wall in need of being dressed up? Trellis looking bare and bland? Like the idea of lounging under a canopy of living shade? Searching for a vertical landscape accent? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, I have a solution, but it might not be for the fainthearted gardener.

The crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is a strong climber that covers a ton of territory, effortlessly stretching more than 30 feet high with a 6- to 8-foot spread. That’s big. That’s bodacious.

Native to the Southeast, crossvine is a woody ornamental that can survive winters in our state, although this evergreen might fade to semi-evergreen during prolonged cold spells. Its name comes from the cross shape that can be found on the cut end of a stem.

Springtime is when this climber is really in its full glory because it becomes festooned—yes, I said festooned—with trumpet-shaped blooms, typically reddish-orange and yellow in color, that will be irresistible to bees, butterflies and (especially) hummingbirds. This dazzling display can last up to a month, with lesser blossoming continuing well into the summer.

This native beauty caught the attention of plant breeders, meaning catchy cultivars have been developed. Tangerine Beauty is probably the most popular of the current selections, but Jekyll is also worth considering for its improved durability to nasty winters. Crossvines shouldn’t be that hard to spot at local nurseries this time of year, and they certainly won’t be tough to find online.

Crossvine blooms best in full sun, so site it accordingly. Also, keep it happy by planting in organically amended, well-drained soil. To maintain crossvine to a desirable size, every two to three years, whip out the pruners after its spring flower show sputters to a halt. It can expand by root suckers, so if you want to keep it in bounds on the ground, dig up these crossvine wannabes.

Speaking of spreading, the similar-looking trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is often compared to and confused with crossvine. The biggest difference is that trumpet vine, which is also a native capable of growing to 30 feet high and well beyond, can be an invasive, garden-grabbing brute that aggressively spreads by way of rampant underground runners and weedy seeds.

Stick with crossvine. Sure, it can be a biggie, too, but it will be a better-controlled, beautiful, bodacious biggie.

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April in the Garden

• The young leaves of pyracantha as well as pear and apple trees should be watched carefully now, as new growth is susceptible to fire blight. Any sign of this disease—in the form of darkened, shriveled limb tips—should be pruned out to prevent it from spreading. Dispose of any clippings. Do not compost them.

• By the middle to end of this month, houseplants can be brought outdoors. This is also a good time to divide or repot any that have become overcrowded.

• If spring cleaning has you throwing out old carpet, put it to good use in the garden by cutting the rug (pun intended) into strips wide enough to fit between rows or beds. Turn this effective weed block over and then “beautify” it with a covering of gravel or wood chips.   

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Tip of the Month

Even though 2018 was a soaker of a growing season, a rain barrel as a supplemental water supply to help irrigate the garden this summer is still not a bad idea. One heavy, 30-minute rain storm will usually run enough water through a roof gutter to fill up a 65-gallon barrel. Whether you buy one (or two) for conservation, savings on the water bill or both, it is a good investment for no-cost, chlorine-free, pH-neutral, nonfluorinated, oxygenated water that potted and inground plants will love.

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.