Digging deeperPlant Library

Balboa Sunset Trumpetvine flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  Trumpetcreeper

Description:

Intense color distinguishes this trumpet vine; spectacular effects are created with clusters of up to a dozen luxurious scarlet red blooms; excellent as a garden focal point or accent, grows very quickly and covers by self clinging

Ornamental Features

Balboa Sunset Trumpetvine features bold clusters of cherry red trumpet-shaped flowers with orange overtones at the ends of the branches from mid summer to early fall. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The large serrated pointy pinnately compound leaves turn yellow in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Balboa Sunset Trumpetvine is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous woody vine with a twining and trailing habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance woody vine, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Invasive

Balboa Sunset Trumpetvine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Balboa Sunset Trumpetvine will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. As a climbing vine, it tends to be leggy near the base and should be underplanted with low-growing facer plants. It should be planted near a fence, trellis or other landscape structure where it can be trained to grow upwards on it, or allowed to trail off a retaining wall or slope. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This woody vine does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.