Campsis x tagliabuana 'Kudian' INDIAN SUMMER^®

INDIAN SUMMER^® is another gorgeous variety of trumpet creeper which was trained into a small tree. It is a brilliant idea because such form does not need a trellis or a wall, it can stand anywhere in the garden, on its own or in the middle of other, smaller shrubs.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are pure orange, 7 cm long, 5cm wide. The buds form a raceme that blooms from July till frosts. Attractive leaves are pinnate, dark green and slightly glossy. They create a green mass as a luxurious background for the flowers.

New branches are shorter on tree forms than on vines but we still emphasize it is absolutely necessary to cut all last year’s branches to 2 or maximum 3 buds to keep the crown compact. Trumpet creeper has fragile wood which, if too long, can easily become a target of strong wind or heavy snowfall. Also, as it flowers on ends of new branches, it is desirable to make as many of new branches as possible – this will be encouraged by spring pruning.

As trumpet creeper is originally a vine, it will need a support along the stem all life long. It needs limey soil and a warm and sunny spot. Its root system is quite pulpous and can accumulate water so it can stand temporary drought, so be careful with extra watering which might cause the root system to rot. We suggest using a special flower-encouraging liquid or hydrosoluble fertilizer from July until September for stronger and bigger flowers, richer in colour and continuous production of new flower buds. All our plants are in flowering age already. It is fully hardy to -27°C (USDA zone 5b) and can take temporary swings to -29°C on sheltered locations.

Last update 02-09-2008.