This vine is native to eastern North America and can be found in roadside hedges here and there on Cape Cod. The highway beautification crews up in the Boston area use this vine to cover the sound barriers along Route 93. It is often planted for its attractive, reddish orange, and sometimes yellow flowers. It does not need encouragement however, as this vine is extremely agressive and difficult to eradicate once established. Older plants have a massive root system that can undermine walkways, roads and walls. It will quickly climb up any support structure it can find, even if that means enveloping your house. It has its uses though – The dense growth makes it useful for erosion control.
Despite all that negative press, the trumpet shaped flowers never fail to put a smile on my face. It is a good plant to attract hummingbirds. Trumpet creeper is drought tolerant and prefers full sun, although it will grow in partial shade – mind you there will be fewer flowers.
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