1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Bignonia capreolata, crossvine, is a vigorous semi-evergreen climber native to southern Ontario and the eastern United States, reaching thirty to fifty feet. Paired glossy leaflets stay on through winter, often bronzing in cold, and in late spring the vine carries masses of two-inch trumpet flowers in orange-red with yellow throats. A cross-shaped pattern in the cut stem gives it its name.
It climbs with branched tendrils tipped in adhesive discs, so unlike most vines it will scale a brick or masonry wall unaided. The flowers open early enough to coincide with hummingbird migration, and it holds its leaves through most winters, which few native flowering vines manage.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Vine
Height
480 inches
Width
108 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Low to moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Southern Ontario and the eastern United States
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in spring in well-drained soil.
- Choose full sun for heaviest flowering; it tolerates deep shade.
- Give it a wall, fence or sturdy structure.
- Water through the first season.
- Prune straight after flowering to control size.
- Remove suckering shoots at the base if it spreads.
Pro Tip
Give it something it can actually grip — the adhesive tendril discs cling to masonry, but it needs contact with a surface rather than open air.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in full sun for the best flowering ☀️
- Provide a wall or sturdy support 🧱
- Prune right after flowering ✂️
- Use it for hummingbirds in spring 🐦
Don't
- Prune in late winter and lose the flowers ❌
- Expect heavy bloom in deep shade ❌
- Let it climb into gutters unchecked ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monitor | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Crossvine questions
What zones can Crossvine grow in?
Crossvine is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Crossvine deer resistant?
Yes — Crossvine is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Crossvine bloom?
Crossvine typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Crossvine need full sun?
Crossvine does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Crossvine drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Crossvine handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Crossvine with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.