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Trumpet vines (Campsis radicans) are creeping plants that are easy to grow. Their bell-shaped petals have colours ranging from yellow and light red to dark orange.
Their growth pattern is vigorous and almost invasive and they display emerald green compound leaves.
Do trumpet vines need full sun? Find out the answer and more in this guide!
Just one thing may not be so flattering about trumpet vines and that is the way the roots grow as the plant ages.
The roots tend to become woody, crushing any surface or object they are growing on, therefore it is advised that you don’t let trumpet vine grow on your house or nearby buildings.
Varieties and Brief Description of Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vines come in different varieties which all have their peculiarities, like differences in colour and blooming time.
These flowers are particularly spectacular when planted in hanging baskets and can do well in any type of soil as long as it drains properly. You can also plant them outside in the garden or pots indoors.
Some of the common cultivars are:
1. Summer snowfall trumpet vine
2. Yellow trumpet vine
3. Mme. Galen’ trumpet vine
4. Common trumpet vine
5. Crossingvine
6. Angels trumpet
A brief description of the trumpet vine, Campsis radicans, is given below:
GENUS NAME Campsis
COMMON NAME Trumpet Vine
PLANT TYPE Vine
LIGHT Sun
HEIGHT 8 to 20 feet
WIDTH null to 30 feet
FLOWER COLOR Orange, Red, Yellow
FOLIAGE COLOR Green
SPECIAL FEATURES Attracts
hummingbirds and is drought-tolerant
ZONES 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
PROPAGATION Layering, Seed,
Stem Cuttings
Now, we can discuss how much sun trumpet vine needs.
Read more : When To Plant A Trumpet Vine [Tips for Great Results]
How Many Hours of Sun Do Trumpet Vines Need?
Trumpet vines like most other plants need some sun to stay alive. Do trumpet vines need full sun?
You should make sure your trumpet vines get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
This will encourage them to grow to their full potential and keep blooming all season long. Trumpet vines do not get scorched, so it is not unusual for them to receive a full day of direct sunlight without issues.
In case the soil is planted where it dries out quickly, 6 hours of sun is a reasonable amount for them. Despite their need for full sun, it is equally as important to keep the soil moist where your trumpet vines grow.
That means if you live in a very hot climate where the soil dries out quickly, you should shorten direct sunlight exposure to 6 hours instead of a whole day.
This can help maintain soil moisture and give your trumpet vines the correct amount of sun they need to thrive.
Can Trumpet Vines Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Trumpet vines do well in indirect sunlight and should bloom normally when it is time but they are plants that prefer full sun. If you can, you should keep them in a spot where they will get direct light and not only partial shade.
Light would have no problem reaching your trumpet vine throughout the day even if they are planted in indirect sunlight but if you choose to grow these flowers in the indirect sun, ensure that they can receive the indirect sun for the whole day.
Getting only indirect sunlight for a few hours every day is not going to be enough for the trumpet vine to flourish.
Can Trumpet Vines Grow in Shade?
Do trumpet vines need full sun? They are very versatile plants that can grow in any type of daytime condition they are found, whether it is shade or not.
Trumpet vines can grow in the shade and thrive in the damp soil that is normally found in shady areas but they may not flower if they never get full sun.
In other words, the foliage can grow too bushy and you may end up with a large, overgrown plant with no flowers.
Trumpet vines are naturally large, energetic growers so when they are planted in full shade, the plants may not bloom and will focus their energy searching for direct sun.
Already, these vines can reach 30 feet (8 meters) in height in many cases, so you should avoid anything that will make them grow even more aggressively.
Full sun is the best amount of sun for the trumpet vine to receive without hitches.
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What Happens if Trumpet Vines Don’t Get Enough Sun?
Although trumpet vine is not easily affected by little sun, those that don’t get the necessary amount of sun may not grow to their full size and have poor blooms.
On the other hand, if they get some sun, but not the right amount, the flowers will open, but there won’t be as many.
The buds and colours will also be affected resulting in dull flowers.
To explain further, the plant can be weakened because of a lack of enough sunlight leading to the flowers dying faster if they don’t get sunlight soon enough.
The plant will be in a more unhealthy state than one grown under the right circumstances.
The partial shade that reduces the amount of time trumpet vines spend in the sun to less than 6 hours, can have negative effects on the type of flowers produced, how many they are, and how long they live eventually.
Therefore, it is recommended that you plant your trumpet vines in a sunny spot even if they can live in shade.
More Reasons Why Your Trumpet Vine Is Not Blooming And How To Correct It
Lack of normal sunlight is the most common reason why you have trumpet vines that are not blooming but there are other reasons why. Check them out:
1. Your trumpet vine may not have reached maturity yet. They take a few years to mature enough to bear flowers.
2. Trumpet vine grows best when planted in low-quality, sandy soil so if yours is planted in loamy soil that is high in nutrients and organic matter, that could be the problem.
3. Using high nitrogen fertilizer can force your trumpet vines to start producing more leaves. All the plant’s resources are directed towards this and little to nothing is left for flower creation.
4. Cutting back at the wrong time can ruin trumpet vine blooms. If you prune your plants when there’s already new growth, you can disrupt the process of flower production.
If you think that you are making any of these mistakes, you should just make adjustments. Use sandy and slightly acidic soil, replace high nitrogen fertilizer with phosphorus fertilizer or bone meal and prune in winter or early spring for the best outcome.
It’s that simple!
Can Trumpet Vines Get Too Much Sun?
Trumpet vines can get too much sun. Excessive hours in the sun or particularly hot weather can cause harm to them.
The first sign that your trumpet vine has been exposed to too much sun is a curling or discoloured leaves. The leaves start to turn yellow.
If a trumpet vine plant stays in the sun for too long, the flowers can fall off when it’s not yet time and in very severe cases of sunburn, the trumpet vine can shed its flowers immediately after they open.
If the soil dries up completely throughout the day, it could be because of the sun’s hot rays. Allowing the vine to be exposed to too much sun can also dry out the soil.
A combination of dry soil and temperatures above 90°F (32℃) can dry out the soil.
Trumpet vines prefer moist soil although they can live without water for some time. Waiting too long before they are watered can cause leaves and flowers to droop and fall off.
Protect a sun-exposed trumpet vine with a row cover in the afternoon to avoid sunburn and make shade available to those already harmed by the sun so that they can be restored.
How Much Sun Do Trumpet Vines Require?
Do trumpet vines need full sun? Although the full sun is not a requirement for trumpet vines to survive, if you want your trumpet vines to produce the best, elegant blossoms, then direct sunlight is required.
Trumpet vines need sunlight in the following quantities and duration:
1. Trumpet vines should get 6 to 8 hours of sun every day but in environments that don’t get too much sun consistently, a whole day of full sun is usually great for trumpet vines.
2. If temperatures where you live repeatedly reach 90°F (32℃) or more, reduce the duration of sun exposure for your trumpet vines to 6 hours per day.
3. Although trumpet vines love the sun, they also need damp soil. Always check the soil moisture to ensure your trumpet vines are not drying out from too much exposure to the hot sun.
4. Enclose sunburned trumpet vines with a row cover to protect them from the afternoon sun and heat.
When you provide them with full, direct sunlight and moist soil, your trumpet vines will experience tremendous growth. This climbing beauty can continue to produce a lot of delightful flowers and leaves as long as you meet these needs.
As they are known for attracting pollinators like hummingbirds, growing them around can be of benefit to your other garden plants.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about trumpet vine. Keep reading!
How long does it take to grow a trumpet vine?
Trumpet vines take between 6 months to a year to reach mature size.
How much sunlight does a trumpet plant need?
Trumpet vines need 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day. A full day of direct sun is usually safe for trumpet vines.
Do trumpet vines need a trellis?
They are creeping vines and a trellis would be a nice support for them. It can even serve decorative purposes.
Should trumpet vines be cut back?
They should but at the right time. Do this in spring or winter.
How long does the trumpet vine live?
Trumpet vines can live on almost infinitely provided that all the right conditions are met.
How do I get rid of a trumpet vine?
To effectively get rid of trumpet vine, you will need to cut it off from the ground and coat the stump with weed killer.
Does the trumpet vine need lots of sun?
Yes, they do. They can receive a full day of sun without getting damaged.
How much space does a trumpet vine need?
A space of 5 to 10 feet should be left between two trumpet vines plants. It is a wild creeper and should have enough space to spread out.
Where should the trumpet vine be planted?
Anywhere you like…except at your house! They tend to crush whatever they grow on over time. Trumpet vines can grow well in pots, in the garden, along a trellis and in the garden.
Conclusion
Do trumpet vines need full sun? Yes, they do. In summary, trumpet vines should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for the best flowering results.