Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, from Maryland and southern Ohio south to Florida, west to Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, where it grows in rich, moist woods, bottomland forests, and along streams.

• The genus Bignonia is named after Abbé Jean Paul Bignon (1662–1743), librarian to King Louis XIV of France and a patron of botany
• The species name capreolata means "having tendrils" (from Latin capreolus, tendril), referring to the vine's climbing mechanism
• The common name "Crossvine" comes from the cross-shaped pattern visible when the stem is cut in cross-section — the pith has four radiating arms forming a cross
• Also known as "Trumpet Flower" and "Quarter Vine" (for the cross-section pattern)
• Indigenous peoples used Crossvine medicinally — the Cherokee used it for headaches, rheumatism, and as a general tonic
• Early French settlers in Louisiana called it "liane croix" (cross vine)
• The genus Bignonia gives its name to the entire family Bignoniaceae
• The popular cultivar "Tangerine Beauty" was selected for its exceptionally vivid orange flowers and is now the most commonly planted form
• Has been grown in European gardens since the early 18th century
• The species is the state wildflower of Tennessee

Crossvine is a vigorous semi-evergreen to evergreen woody vine climbing by tendrils with adhesive pads to heights of 15–20 m, capable of reaching the tops of tall trees in its native habitat.

Stems: Woody, with the distinctive cross-shaped pith pattern visible in cross-section. Tendrils are produced at the nodes, each bearing small adhesive pads at the tips that grip surfaces. Young stems are green; mature bark is gray-brown.

Leaves: Compound with 2 (occasionally 4) oblong to lanceolate leaflets, each 5–12 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, dark glossy green, turning bronze to purplish in cold weather. A distinctive feature is that the terminal leaflet of each leaf is modified into a tendil. Leaves are semi-evergreen, persisting through winter in the southern range and dropping in cold northern locations.

Flowers: Produced in showy, terminal and axillary cymes of 2–5 flowers in early spring (April–May). Individual flowers are tubular-funnelform, 4–5 cm long and 3–4 cm across at the mouth, with 5 shallow, rounded lobes. The flowers are strikingly bicolored — the exterior (tube) is rich orange-red to rusty-red, while the interior (throat and lobes) is bright golden-yellow. This creates a beautiful two-toned effect. Flowers are slightly fragrant with a musky-sweet scent. Blooms heavily for 2–3 weeks, with occasional repeat blooming through summer.

Fruit: Long, narrow, cylindrical capsules 10–15 cm long, green turning brown, containing numerous flat, winged seeds. The capsules persist on the vine through fall.

Roots: Fibrous root system. Less aggressive root suckering than Trumpet Creeper.

Crossvine grows naturally in rich, moist woods, bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, and along streams throughout the southeastern United States, from sea level to about 500 m elevation.

• Found in moist, shaded to partially shaded forest habitats — naturally a woodland-edge species
• Also tolerates full sun and drier conditions once established
• Prefers moist, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soils but adapts to a range of conditions
• The bicolored red-and-yellow flowers are adapted for hummingbird pollination — the color combination and tubular shape attract early-migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
• One of the earliest nectar sources for hummingbirds returning from their spring migration — the bloom timing is critical for hummingbird survival
• Also visited by bees, butterflies, and sphinx moths
• Semi-evergreen foliage provides winter cover and foraging habitat for birds
• Less aggressive than Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) — a better-mannered alternative for gardens
• Generally pest and disease-free
• Deer-resistant due to the somewhat leathery foliage

Crossvine is an excellent native vine for southern and mid-Atlantic gardens, combining spring beauty with hummingbird value.

Site Selection: Full sun to partial shade. More sun produces more flowers. Plant against a trellis, fence, arbor, or wall — the adhesive-tipped tendrils allow it to grip rough surfaces. Also good for large trees and pergolas.

Soil: Any well-drained soil. Prefers moist, fertile, slightly acidic conditions (pH 5.5–7.0) but adapts to clay, sand, and drier sites.

Planting: Plant container-grown vines in spring or fall. Space 1.5–2.5 m apart.

Watering: Water during the first growing season. Once established, moderately drought-tolerant but best with regular moisture.

Pruning: Prune after the main spring flowering. Thin out congested growth, remove dead wood, and shape as desired. Flowers on old wood (previous year's growth), so avoid pruning in late winter or early spring. Can be cut back hard to rejuvenate if needed.

Training: Guide young stems to the support — the adhesive-tipped tendrils will grip most surfaces once established.

Hummingbird Gardening: One of the best early-season plants for hummingbirds. Pair with Trumpet Honeysuckle and native columbine for a continuous spring nectar sequence.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9. Very cold-hardy for a semi-evergreen vine.

Propagation: By semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, layering, seed, or division of rooted suckers.

Best Cultivar: "Tangerine Beauty" produces the most vivid orange flowers.