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Climber Wall Shrub

Campsis grandiflora 'Tropical Summer'

Chinese trumpet creeper 'Tropical Summer'

A less vigorous climber than other C. grandifloras, with a compact habit and mid to dark green leaves, comprising of seven to nine leaflets. Terminal clusters of bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers appear from late summer to autumn

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Bignoniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Campsis are fast-growing deciduous climbers clinging by aerial roots, pinnate leaves and clusters of tubular-funnel-shaped flowers in late summer or early autumn
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

A climber that despite its exotic-looking flowers is reasonably hardy if grown against a warm, sunny wall. Produces relatively few aerial roots, so likely to need tying in regularly. See campsis cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by layering, hardwood cuttings or root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
Sub-tropical
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 12 in late winter or early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and powdery mildews

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