Campsis radicans

Synonyms: Тыкома, Текома, Текома укореняющаяся, камасас укореняющийся, кампсис радиканс, те кома радиканс, Tecoma radicans (L.) Juss., Bignonia campsis, бигнония кампсис, Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau.

Campsis radicans – a species of the genus Campsis (Campsis) in the family Bignoniaceae (Bignoniaceae). Native to the Ozark Plateau (Missouri, central USA). Introduced to western Europe in 1640; brought to Ukraine in 1809. Cultivated in many European countries.

It is a large perennial woody climbing vine with aerial adhesive roots on the stems, by which it can climb to a height of 5–7 m (in the wild up to 10 m). Grows rapidly.

Leaves opposite, imparipinnate, on glabrous or slightly hairy petioles up to 7 cm long, with 7 (9–11) leaflets. Leaflets oval or oblong-ovate, 4–6 (12) cm long, 2–3 (7) cm wide, coarsely serrate to deeply incised along the margin, acute at the apex, glabrous, dark green above, lighter and hairy beneath either entirely or only along the veins. In autumn the leaves turn bright yellow.

Flowers in June–July, flowers are borne on shoots of the current year, arranged in shortened (umbel-like) racemes that reach 15 cm in length. Pedicels up to 1.7 cm long, formed with small linear bracts.

Flowers – calyces up to 2 cm long, glandular-pubescent, with short triangular teeth. Corolla 6–9 cm long, pale orange outside, yellow in the throat inside. The limb is scarlet in color, up to 4 cm long, with 5 short, spreading, broad rounded lobes. Flowers open gradually, so the plant has a prolonged flowering period. Blooms in the 2nd–3rd year after planting.

Fruits – pod-like flat oblong-cylindrical capsules, keeled along the sutures and with a beak at the apex, dehiscing by 2 valves, 5–12 cm long, narrowed at both ends, up to 2 cm wide at the widest part. Occur singly or in pairs or threes. When ripe the pod becomes dry and grayish-brown.

Seeds are obliquely triangular, flat, with a thin winged seed coat, 5–7 mm long; endosperm weakly developed. The embryo fills almost the entire seed, and the massive cotyledons conceal all other parts of the embryo.

Weight of 1000 cleaned seeds (purity 98%, full seeds 52%) = 3.3 g

Hybrids: with Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) K. Schum. – Campsis × tagliabuana Rehder

Decorative forms: f. Speciosa, f. Flava, f. Praecox, f. Atropurpurea, f. sanguinea, f. Nibra.

Cultivars: 'Stromboli', 'Flamenco', 'Flava', 'Madame Galen', 'Indian summer'.

Hardiness zone: 6b (-20°C)

Location: sun-loving, prefer moderately moist and rich soils. The best site is on the south or southeast side of a house. Does not like heavily waterlogged soils. Does not tolerate prolonged heat.

Planting: plant in early spring, before the plants flower.

Care: in the first summer it is recommended to grow Campsis in a container and move it to a cool cellar for the winter. Supports in most of Ukraine are recommended to be removable (for example, made of synthetic cord). Before the onset of frost the plant is removed together with the support and laid on the ground. Cover the plant with conifer branches and it is recommended to spread polyethylene film over them, on which dry plant debris can be placed.

Pruning: tolerates pruning well. Can be trained as an upright standard tree. On a rooted cutting initially leave 2–4 of the strongest shoots and break off the rest. These shoots will form the plant's framework. By the end of the growing season these shoots should become woody and reach 2.5–3 m in length. It is recommended to perform fairly strong pruning annually, leaving only the skeletal branches. Tolerates formative pruning well.

Propagation: propagated by seed, which require stratification at 5–10°C for 2 months. After stratification the germination rate is 66%, the germination period is 19 days. Germination proceeds better at 20°C (16 g) - 30°C (8 g). Sowing depth approx. 1.5 cm. When grown from seed it begins to flower in the 7th–8th year. Also propagates well by hardwood and green cuttings, as well as by layering and root suckers.

Diseases and pests: not damaged by diseases. Among pests – aphids.

Uses: used for vertical greening of walls, fences, pergolas; looks good on shaped supports (sphere, pyramid) on lawns, and as a standard tree. Ornamental for its large pinnate leaves, distinctive flowers, and long flowering period.