Campsis grandiflora Morning Calm

Comments about High Country Gardens Campsis grandiflora Morning Calm:

I planted the Morning Calm vine in early 2016 in a large pot with herbs and limited sun. It did not do very much that year, reaching maybe only a foot tall. After having forgotten all about it, this year it is up to the roof and still growing. Very delicate looking leaves, no flowers yet as of July in CA. Especially nice that there are no tendrils to attach to everything. I have read somewhere that these don't flower for a couple of years, but they are worth the wait. Am happy to wait as it is a very uncomplaining vine!

Comments about High Country Gardens Campsis grandiflora Morning Calm:

One of my favorite vines because it is so attractive and exotic/tropical looking, and brings many hummingbirds and other pollinators to our property. We are in Zone 7 in the high desert. We only get 14 inches of natural water a year, and the temperatures fluctuate quite a bit (from 0-100 F in a typical year). Our soil is nothing to write home about, either. Our red dirt has never heard the term, "Loamy Topsoil." ;) Our trumpet vine is planted along a south-facing wooden fence. Below the fence is vinca (periwinkle) planted along the edge of a gravel driveway. This helps shade the roots of the trumpet vine and retain moisture, so that we no longer have to water (watering was only required for a time after the initial transplant). Also along the fenceline we have planted some high-leafed, medium sized trees (in other words, there is a high vertical "wall" of vegetation, starting with the vinca on the ground, then the trumpet vine on the fence, then the tree canopy above the fence, reaching 20-30 feet). These different types of leafy, insulating vegetation provide a significant cooling effect and a substantial buffer from our fierce desert sun and wind. The plants all work together to provide a self-sustaining oasis for wildlife that no longer requires any care from us. Further along the wall we have drought tolerant iris and red hot poker plants as well as some wildflower natives. Once established, this plant is so easy to propogate, as wherever a tendril touches the ground and gets a little buried/lodged, a new root system will establish like a wheel hub, with new tendrils growing from the "hub" like spokes. Then it's a small matter to trim the tendrils, dig up the new root hub, and move it to a desired transplant location. What a value! New transplants that are moved during the growing season seem to require frequent watering, shade and mulching throughout their first hot season. Then after that, they can be more independent. Leaves & seed pods also look very nice.

Comments about High Country Gardens Campsis grandiflora Morning Calm:

Very disappointed in last few HCG purchases. All columbine dead. Didn't even last a season, even after I called for consultation. One of two, small, full sun blooms died after coming out of dormancy. The other is alive but has not grown. Regret purchases overall.

Comments about High Country Gardens Campsis grandiflora Morning Calm:

This trumpet vine may have died. After I planted it last spring it remained the same size throughout the summer and now looks Charlie Brown-ish. I am hoping that it is still alive and that I will see a lot of growth next spring. I bought the Yum Yum Winterizer which will help if the roots are ok. We'll see.