When to Trim a Rangoon Creeper

Identification

• Rangoon Creeper is an evergreen vine when grown in a tropical climate. The plants are suited to USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12 and tolerate conditions ranging from partial sun to shade. The vines develop showy white flower spikes that change color over time. The flowers generally take three days to complete a color change from white to pink, then red. They have a fruity fragrance that becomes more pronounced at night.

Timing

• Prune the vines before they become dormant in the winter or before they emerge from dormancy in the spring. Prune as needed during periods of growth to provide shape to the plants or to keep their form compact. Rangoon Creeper tolerates temperatures as low as the mid 20s F if you provide protection for the vines, but you may need to prune away frost- or freeze-killed portions of the plant.

For Flowering

• Pruning encourages Rangoon Creeper plants to develop new growth, and since the vines bloom on new growth, pruning encourages flowering. The plants may bloom all year in tropical locations and during summer and fall months in other areas. In the U.S., the plants are best-suited to extreme southern locations, such as in Texas and Florida.

To Reduce Spines

• Rangoon Creeper plants develop spines as they age, so prune to encourage new growth without spines or to keep the spines out of the way of passersby. Take care during the pruning process to avoid injury from the spines. You can propagate Rangoon Creeper by seeds or cuttings, so you can use pruned cuttings to expand your collection of plants.

For Size and Form

• Rangoon Creeper plants transition from shrub form to climbing vine as they mature, but you may need to remove the shoots that form around the base of the plants and make older vines appear bushy and messy. Rangoon Creeper plants will grow in a relatively small space. If you plan to keep the plants compact or contained in small area, you may need to prune the vines to keep them within bounds, as Rangoon Creepers can reach up to 70 feet tall in warmer climates.

Training

• As these plants have no tendrils to hold the weight of their vines and help them climb, you need to train Rangoon Creepers to a fence, trellis or other structure to assume some of their weight and provide a form of support to ascend. Prune the vines to train them to better fit or follow a support. Alternatively, train the plants to espalier. The fast-growing vines can quickly cover and hide an unattractive feature in your landscape.