Nearly any garden can benefit from the addition of a vertical feature, and flowering blossoms like crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) really pull double duty in this capacity. A vigorous and prolific bloomer, crossvine offers gardeners stunning color, year-round interest and an chance to use vertical components, like trellises and arbors. Keep reading to understand how to incorporate crossvine into an outdoor space that requires a colorful pick-me-up.
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Botanical name: Bignonia capreolata
Common title: Crossvine
USDA zones: 6a-9b (find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate
moderate requirement: Sun to partial shade
Mature size: 30 to 40 ft
Advantages and tolerances: Crossvine is both heat and cold tolerant; blooms attract bees, butterflies and birds
Seasonal attention: Evergreen leaves for winter arrangement and orange-yellow blooms from spring until fall
When to plant: Fall and spring
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Distinguishing traits. Crossvine features tubular orange-yellow flowers that bloom prolifically from spring until fall and long evergreen leaves which take centre stage during the colder months. It is a blossom that is fairly low-maintenance, as long as you give moisture that is constant to it. Although it is going to bloom in partial shade, the blooms will be more abundant in fuller sunshine.
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The best way to use it. This blossom is a very long one, growing up to 40 feet, so be sure to give it a distance which will accommodate it. Tall trellises, arbors, walls and fences will show it off beautifully, and though it’s a clinging vine, it is going to appreciate a service system due to its length. A cable trellis along your fence line will support the blossom without damaging your weapon, making fencing repairs or replacement much easier.
Crossvine may also be used in container plantings — only be sure to give it a big enough container for the origins to expand.
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Planting notes.
Dig a hole twice as big as the root chunk of the plant, then carefully remove the blossom out of the nursery pot. Loosen the roots before putting it in the ground, then place soil around the root ball and gently down it. Water it and gently mulch up to the base of the blossom. If your vine has a extended tendrils, carefully spread them out and then put them onto your trellis or arbor that will help the blossom spread in the directions that you wish it to grow. More: Climbing Plants Suit Small Gardens