How to Contain a Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), also known as trumpet creeper, is a deciduous flowering vine that thrives in adverse growing conditions such as wind and poor soil. It flowers in the summer with 3-inch red and sometimes yellow blossoms. Due to its hardiness, the trumpet vine can be very invasive, quickly climbing and overtaking other plants. A proper containment method, which includes regular pruning, is required to control the ambitious vine.

Gardening gloves
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Put on gardening gloves. Trumpet vine leaves and flowers can irritate the skin and cause redness and swelling. It may even cause a serious rash for those with sensitive skin or certain skin allergies.
- 2
  Trim the vines regularly during the spring, summer and fall when the plant is in its active growth phase. Cut vines with pruning shears either at the ground level or on the shoot, if the vine is growing in a direction that is undesirable.
- 3
  Remove all dead flower heads as soon as they wilt.
- 4
  Cut back the entire vine in the winter to just above ground level. This serves two purposes. The first is that it will keep your trumpet vine healthy and prepare it for the next growing season. The second purpose is that it will help contain the vine and prevent it from spreading aggressively the following spring.

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