Last week, before winter returned, we had one of those wonderful warm weeks. I was able to get out and prune some of the vines. Trumpet Vine, Campsis radicans is one of the vines that takes early spring pruning. It blooms on new wood, the new spring growth. While this vine could grow and cover this 33 foot long arbor, I want it to bloom at this height. After the flowers bloom, the plant will produce 6” long seed pods. I call them the “evil pods”. Because once this plant seeds itself, year by year it will take weeding with a shovel. By keeping the vine low, I can pick the seed pod when they form. Nonetheless, I love this vine! Downtown there is a shed where Campsis radicans has entered the building. It is a sight to see in full bloom. The vine is growing on this downtown building and I think a bit into the building. This is a serious vine. But, it can be trimmed and trained to look like a small tree. The younger canes are brittle and easy to snap off. Keep them away from eye level. I have had a few close calls. In my yard the Trumpet Vine draws hummingbirds as they migrate through and this little baby dove rested in the vine until it’s mother called it away. See, he is a little guy. Last summer, pretty, but a bit too tall. I had to get on a step in order to pull the seed pods. As I write this post, the weather man is forecasting snow! But spring is around the corner!
The vine is growing on this downtown building and I think a bit into the building.
This is a serious vine. But, it can be trimmed and trained to look like a small tree. The younger canes are brittle and easy to snap off. Keep them away from eye level. I have had a few close calls.
In my yard the Trumpet Vine draws hummingbirds as they migrate through and this little baby dove rested in the vine until it’s mother called it away.
See, he is a little guy.
Last summer, pretty, but a bit too tall. I had to get on a step in order to pull the seed pods.
As I write this post, the weather man is forecasting snow! But spring is around the corner!