Campsis

Bought a Campsis Indian Summer, as opposed to Radicans yesterday to cover some of the back fence and give some colour.
Pete you have had or have one, any tips.

 

Yes Strongy, I'd recommend it over radicans any time.
might take a year or two to settle down but other than that full sun and heat makes it flower.
As with both, you do get some dieback each winter that needs to be pruned out.

Good luck.

 

I have C.radicans "Flamenco" which I bought last spring for a fiver from the bargain bin. It had taken a battering in the winter of 2010/11, but had buds so I figured that it was hardy enough (especially as the name of the GC is Hill Top). It got snapped before I had decided to put it in the ground, and I kinda lost interest in it for the rest of the year............

Anyway, it is now covered in new shoots so will make the move with me.Is it possible to get blooms in a single season on such new growth? These shoots are all emerging from growth that is at least two years old.

 

It might not get full sun, about 6 hours at present. May be in a couple of years it will reach the fence top and then will be in full sun.

 

I searched for about three years for any sort of Campsis after seeing them everywhere on the Loire. Eventually I bought two, after a few years I gave one to my neighbour as I didn't really have room for both of them and I think it's 16 years on now and they have never missed a year flowering, including the first year. They're both on South-west facing walls. As mine is now too tall for me to get at, I don't do any cutting back or pruning, the only feeding it gets is any run off if I'm feeding other plants nearby.

Originally, I asked for advice in France where they were mostly growing on fences and against walls and didn't get any real advice as they're treated almost as pretty weeds there; once planted they look after themselves. That area has hot summers but cold and wet winters. I expected to lose it in the last two very cold winters but no, it's just kept coming.

 

They flower on the current seasons growth, ie this years growth terminates in flower buds.
But mine took a couple of years to get really into flowering mood.

Your "Flamenco"should be a good un.
Most of the varieties/hybrids will be good.

The species radicans is also a good plant, but I find it straggly in comparison to hybrids.

 

Thanks Pete. Got a lovely spot lined up for it at the north end of the new garden. The roots should be in a nice sheltered spot and the plan is to grow it along a wood 'n wire structure just in front of the rather large unsightly shed (it's actually an old single and a half garage) which is far too useful to go but rather ugly! The plan is to then sink my pots of Bomarea hirtella in the ground for the summer to cover the lower level.

 

Thanks Pete - you answered my question. I was going to ask why Campsis Indian Summer was better than the radicans species - which I am currently growing from seed. Incidently - I love that picture.

I hear of all these climbers that are said to be hardy - but then I ask why do I never see them growing round here or offered (to my knowledge) in local garden centres. Thats why I like to stick to seed - I can afford to leave one outside and keep another inside over the winter.

 

I'm not sure how well campsis flowers in Yorkshire Peter.
There cannot be much difference in growing season its only a hundred miles or so.

I remember years ago reading one of the garden writers of the day, who lived up north, cant remember where or who, but he always attended RHS Chelsea, he said on the train down he could see the laburnums going from no flowers to full flower on the journey.
Kind of a months difference in one train journey

 

Thanks Pete - I think thats very true of all sorts of plants. I have read more than once that Ipomea do well in the south and poorly in the north. I had a good year with them in a hot summer, but then they were rubbish over the two following cold summers.

I have noticed this with other tender plants - Cosmos, Cleome etc.

Thats why I am doing my bit to help global warming.