Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Native crossvine is a vigorous woody vine with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies. Extremely drought-tolerant, crossvine needs very little water once established.

It grows and flowers most profusely in full sun, but can take a bit of shade. But be sure to place crossvine where it will have plenty of room to creep, which it will do very quickly, using its very strong tendrils to grab onto whatever it can find. Plant on a fence or arbor, or use to create a privacy screen.

Crossvine is evergreen and usually flowers from March through May, though sometimes blooming again in fall. Floral colors range from yellow to shades of orange, red and even apricot, depending on the cultivar.

Crossvine blooms on last-year’s wood, so don’t prune until after blooming is done or you’ll risk a year without flowers. Shape and train to control it.