Trumpet vines are beautiful flowering vines that produce trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow. These brightly colored, tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, which have long beaks perfectly adapted for reaching nectar at the base of long, tubular flowers. So it’s no surprise that many gardeners wonder if trumpet vines are good choices for attracting hummingbirds to their yards. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of trumpet vines for hummingbirds.
Quick Facts about Trumpet Vines and Hummingbirds
Here are some key points about trumpet vines and hummingbirds:
- Trumpet vines produce bright, tubular flowers that appeal to hummingbirds.
- The nectar provides an important food source for hummingbirds.
- Trumpet vines can be aggressive growers and spread rapidly.
- Some trumpet vine species are invasive in certain regions.
- Proper care and pruning are needed to control trumpet vines.
- Native trumpet vine species have co-evolved with local hummingbirds.
- Non-native trumpet vines may not be adapted to local hummingbird pollinators.
- Hummingbirds benefit from a diversity of flower shapes, not just tubular flowers.
These key points give us an overview of how trumpet vines can benefit hummingbirds through their flowers and nectar, but also illustrate potential downsides regarding their vigorous growth and invasiveness. As we explore in more detail below, trumpet vines can be excellent for attracting hummingbirds, but gardeners should choose species carefully and provide proper care and management.
The Appeal of Trumpet Vines for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are specialized nectar feeders. Their long, slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for reaching deep into tubular flowers to access the nectar reward inside. The bright colors and unique tubular shape of trumpet vine flowers have evolved to appeal specifically to hummingbirds as pollinators. Here’s why trumpet vines are so well-suited as hummingbird plants:
- Abundant nectar – Trumpet vines produce copious amounts of nectar, providing an excellent energy source for hummingbirds.
- High sugar concentration – The nectar is typically 25% sugar or more, meeting hummingbird nutritional requirements.
- Tubular shape – The trumpet shape perfectly matches the long beak and tongue of hummingbirds.
- Bright colors – Vivid red, orange, or yellow flowers attract hummingbirds visually.
- Thriving in heat – Trumpet vines tolerate hot, humid weather popular with hummingbirds.
- Extended bloom time – Flowers bloom persistently over a long season.
- Native species – Some native trumpet vines co-evolved with local hummingbirds.
The visual and nutritional appeal of trumpet vines are keys to their popularity with hummingbird enthusiasts. By providing an abundant food source, trumpet vines can help attract and sustain hungry hummingbirds.
Trumpet Vine Species for Hummingbirds
There are around 20 species of trumpet vines, both native and introduced. Here are some of the most popular types planted to attract hummingbirds:
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) – Native to eastern US and Canada. Features orange to red blooms.
- Chinese trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora) – Introduced from Asia. Has orange-red flowers.
- Madrean trumpet vine (Campsis x tagliabuana) – Native to southwest US and Mexico. Produces bright scarlet flowers.
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) – Native vine with red tubular blooms.
Gardeners should choose trumpet vine species carefully to make sure they are not invasive outside their native regions. Consulting local extension resources helps determine the best species for both hummingbirds and responsible gardening.
Challenges of Growing Trumpet Vines
While their flowers are magnets for hummingbirds, trumpet vines do come with some notorious challenges as garden plants:
Vigorous Growth
Trumpet vines grow vigorously and can reach 30 feet or more in a single growing season. Their vines readily climb structures, spread across the ground, and can quickly grow out of bounds. This extremely rampant growth requires frequent pruning and training onto a strong support structure to keep trumpet vines under control.
Potential Invasiveness
The fast growth of trumpet vines allows them to spread rapidly and invade natural areas in climates outside their native range. Trumpet vine species like Chinese trumpet vine and trumpet creeper are considered invasive in many regions. Even native trumpet vines can potentially spread from gardens into wild areas. Gardeners should check local invasive plant lists before planting trumpet vines.
Self-Seeding
Trumpet vines produce seed pods which burst open at the end of the season, spreading seeds widely. New trumpet vine seedlings can germinate and take root many feet from the parent plant. This self-seeding makes trumpet vines difficult to eradicate from a property if they are no longer desired.
Root Suckering
The roots of trumpet vines also spread aggressively through suckering. Root offshoots emerge and form dense colonies of new stems, often at a distance from the main plant. Removing trumpet vines requires digging out the extensive root system to prevent suckers from re-emerging.
Resource Intensive Care
To prevent trumpet vines from spreading out of control, they require vigilant pruning, training, and containment. Cutting back rampant growth and removing suckers and self-seeded plants takes dedication. Providing a very strong support structure is also critical to manage growth. The labor involved makes trumpet vines a high maintenance choice.
Guidelines for Growing Trumpet Vines
Trumpet vines need special care and management to control their growth. Here are guidelines for growing trumpet vines successfully:
Choose Non-Invasive Species
Research which species are best suited to your growing zone to avoid invasiveness. Native trumpet vines that share an evolutionary history with local hummingbirds are good choices.
Provide Strong Support
Plant next to a sturdy structure like a trellis, arbor, or fence that can bear the vigorous climbing growth. Use robust materials and check connections regularly when vines are establishing.
Allow Plenty of Space
Give trumpet vines ample room to grow, at least 6-10 feet from buildings, trees, and other plants. This helps reduce the need for excessive pruning later on.
Prune Regularly
Prune back new growth often to direct vines and restrict spread. Timely pruning also maintains more compact growth and maximizes flower production
Remove Suckers
Inspect around the root zone and remove any new shoots emerging away from the main plant. This controls colonies of shoots developing.
Pull Seedlings
Pull out young trumpet vine seedlings when they are small to prevent rampant spread from re-seeding. Stop seeds forming by deadheading spent blooms.
Monitor Vigilantly
Check vines frequently and prune back or remove any growth straying from the planned area. Staying on top of rampant growth is critical.
Be Prepared to Remove
Trumpet vines don’t belong in every landscape. If they do become too difficult to manage, be prepared to remove entirely. This involves digging out all roots. Replace with less aggressive flowering vines.
Alternatives to Trumpet Vines
For gardeners not prepared to take on the maintenance demands of trumpet vines, there are other good hummingbird plants to consider:
Native Honeysuckles
Like trumpet honeysuckle, other native honeysuckles like coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) offer tubular red flowers on a less aggressive vine.
Columbines
Varieties of columbine (Aquilegia) produce rows of hanging, nectar-filled blooms drawing in hummingbirds.
Bee Balm
With shaggy tubular flowers in reds and pinks, bee balm (Monarda spp.) is a popular hummingbird favorite.
Sages
Many ornamental sages like Salvia greggii have the long flower tubes that hummingbirds probe for nectar.
Penstemons
Penstemon species are tubular-flowered native plants that act as hummingbird magnets.
Fuchsias
The pendulous blooms of fuchsias are perfectly designed for hummingbird feeding and are easy to grow in pots.
These and other flowering plants provide nectar-rich blooms that will attract hummingbirds without the maintenance needs of trumpet vines.
Growing Both Trumpet Vines and Alternatives
The best solution for maximum hummingbird appeal may be to grow some trumpet vines strategically placed next to sturdy structures, complemented by plantings of easier-care hummingbird favorites. This balance allows trumpet vines to act as bold focal points thronged by hummingbirds, while safer alternative plants provide nectar resources in the rest of the garden. With some thoughtful planning, trumpet vines can have their place in a garden that welcomes hummingbirds.
Conclusion
Trumpet vines are vibrant flowering vines tailor-made to appeal to hummingbirds. Their bright colors, tubular shape, abundance of nectar, and extended bloom time attract these specialized nectar feeders. However, trumpet vines require extensive maintenance to prevent their aggressive growth from getting out of control. Their potential to become invasive also limits recommendations in some regions. With careful selection of species and vigilant pruning and management, trumpet vines can be incorporated as hummingbird havens. But less aggressive flowering plants are often lower maintenance alternatives for providing hummingbirds with nectar. Finding the right balance between some strategically placed trumpet vines and other easier-care flowers may offer the best solution for enjoying both hummingbirds and gardening sanity.
