Crossvine 'Tangerine Beauty'

It seems the gardening world has gone crazy with arbors, pillars, trellises, towers, fences and more. Everyone is looking for vines to drape or climb these structures. One of the best choices is the crossvine. It is also called quartervine and is known botanically as Bignonia capreolata. It is hardy throughout Zones 6-9.

This much underused, native vine may have more flowers per foot when in bloom than any other plant - literally thousands of blooms on a mature plant. It is so prolific that the initial blooms completely cover the foliage. Bignonia is native to moist woodlands from Virginia to Florida, as far west as the Mississippi river.

The variety called 'Tangerine Beauty' is an improved extra profuse - blooming selection with two inch trumpet-shaped flowers of brilliant deep coral orange. Hummingbirds love them. 'Tangerine Beauty' blooms for about a month during mid-April to May, but will vary slightly from year to year and from zone to zone, with occasional later rebloom. It is absolutely awesome when in full bloom.

The handsome veil of divided, dark green, leathery foliage is semi-evergreen. It turns bronze-red in winter. Crossvine is rapid growing and easy to grow. It is less aggressive than Wisteria and does not sucker like Wisteria and Trumpet Vine (Campsis).

Planting and Care

To grow yours, choose a site in full sun for the most spectacular flower show. Select a sturdy support structure or let it climb a brick or masonry wall.

The vines climb by tendrils but have small disks that allow them to attach themselves to a wall. Space your plants 10 to 15 feet apart and be aware they can climb 20 to 30 feet - as high as the support allows.

• Disease and pest free.

• Performs best in sun or very light shade; also grows in deep shade, although less lushly and with fewer flowers.

• Not fussy about soil; even tolerates wet clay. For best results enhance soil with compost at planting.

• Fertilize at planting, also annually in early spring and very late autumn with Cotton Seed Meal and Kelp Meal.

• Prune to maintain shape and confinement. Do major pruning or thinning of vines after spring bloom.

From 2-gallon pots at $28.85 each.