A Bignone (Campsis) is a magnificent vining shrub of the family of Bignoniaceae. It is called Jasmine of Virginia, Trumpet of Jericho or Trumpet of Virginia, among others. This plant whose climbing lianas grow 80 to 100 cm per year brings an ornamental note spectacular in the garden thanks to its large trumpet-shaped flowers, grouped together in sumptuous bouquets and which bloom, depending on the variety, from May to October. Here’s everything you need to know to grow a Bignone in the ground or in a potknowing that it is very easy to live with and ultra resistant, enough to satisfy all gardeners, even the less experienced.
Plant a Bignone
Ideally it is early fall that it is recommended to plant a Bignone. However, you can opt for planting at other times of the year, provided you respect the following points:
- In spring preferably if the risk of frost has passed because the Trumpet of Jericho is only really hardy once it is well rooted. In addition, in the mildest climates, very regular watering must be planned during the first weeks following planting if the rains are infrequent.
- In summeronly outside of heat waves, and at this time the plant must benefit from very regular copious watering to take root well and not suffer from drought.
This climbing plant is used to quickly dress a pergolaand mur or one fence, preferably facing south. If you want to plant several feet, you have to space them from each other by about 3.50 m.
here’s how plant a Bignone in the ground.
- Dig a hole wide and deep,
- With part of the earth extracted, create a mound at the bottom of the hole,
- Place a drainage layer such as gravel,
- Install the Bignone foot in the center of the planting hole, making sure that the collar is flush with the level of the ground because it must not be buried,
- Mix garden soil with planting soil and possibly a shovelful of sand if it is clayey,
- Plug the hole,
- Tamp down,
- Water.
It is recommended to put a mulch at the foot of the Bignone from the planting. This keeps the soil cool, which is especially important for bignones planted in the summer.
Can also growing a Bignone in a pot, in a substrate composed of garden soil, not too fine sand, compost and mature compost. In the absence of compost, dead leaves are ideal for enriching the substrate with nutrients. Of course, we choose a pot or a tray fully drilledof sufficient size.
Growing a Bignone
This ornamental climbing plant needs to be established under the sun to bloom. It is recommended to reserve a place sheltered from the icy wind. She needs a cool ground most well drained et fertile. Undemanding, it tolerates calcareous soils but prefers heavy clay soil to be lightened with medium-grained sand.
In autumn and spring, it is better to avoid planting a Bignone when it freezes. Once it is well established, this plant is hardy since in dry soil, sheltered from cold winds, it is able to withstand temperatures down to -12°C, or even -15°C. Beware, however, of temperature differences between day and night which promote the fall of flower buds. Although hardy, the Bignone is therefore vulnerable to cold drafts, which are quite common in some of our regions.
Maintain the Bignone
Maintenance does not present any major difficulty since this plant, however spectacular, has few requirements and is particularly resistant.
Water
Throughout the period following the planting of a Bignone, watering must be regular to ensure the recovery of the plant, especially in summer because the soil dries quickly. Itou for the potted Bignone which needs water, its substrate must not dry out. Remember that in the ground as well as in a container, these plants need to have their feet cool and their heads in the sun.
In very hot weather, it is advisable to water the bignones in the eveningmoderately but very frequently.
Fertiliser
Fertilizer is needed each spring.
Repot
A Bignone in a container must be repotted every 2 or 3 years. This allows you to install this beautiful climber in a larger container and completely renew its substrate.
Shelter
It is recommended to place the Bignone in a pot in the shelter from the first frosts because its roots are more exposed to the cold than if it were grown in the ground. It can be placed under an awning or in a frost-free, airy and bright room and taken out in the spring.
Parasites and diseases
The Bignone is not very sensitive to parasites. At most, it can sometimes be the target of red spiders if it is very hot and dry or even aphids and more rarely mealybugs. But these attacks remain very moderate and are never devastating.
La Bignone is also appreciated for its great disease resistancea very appreciable asset.
Flowering of Bignone
The flowers of this vining shrub illuminate the garden or the terrace with their beautiful colours: yellow, red, orange, salmon-coloured… Some are plain, others two-coloured, depending on the variety.
To take advantage of a very fast flowering after the spring planting of Bignone, you can choose a grafted subject. All the varieties are interesting since they flower in a spectacular way, with however a first place on the podium for Campsis radicans. If you want to emphasize the diameter of the flowers, you can turn to Campsis grandiflora. Be that as it may, sun, light and freshness of the soil… here is the best cocktail to see a Bignone bloom with generosity.
But it is also necessary to prune the Bignone at the very beginning of spring to stimulate the production of new branches, the shrub flowering on the shoots of the year. In addition, a Virginia Jasmine can quickly become invasive given its rapid growth. Pruning is therefore considered essential by many gardeners who wish to control the vigorous vines which can reach 10 meters in adulthood. These hang alone on their support. No need to tie them, just guide them.