Trumpet Vine Campsis × tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'
ABOUT
Madame Galen is a vibrant and lush plant known for its striking trumpet-shaped flowers, which bloom in a stunning shade of deep reddish-orange. These large, showy blooms are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, and they come together in clusters, creating a dramatic visual impact. The petals of the flowers are slightly ruffled, adding texture and depth to the display. The foliage of Madame Galen is comprised of compound leaves with multiple leaflets arranged opposite each other along the stems. These leaflets are dark green, glossy, and have a smooth, ovate shape with a pointed tip, which adds to the aesthetic appeal of the plant even when it's not in bloom. The plant itself has a climbing habit, with strong, woody vines that benefit from support such as a trellis, fence, or a wall to showcase its sprawling nature. Over time, the stems become more robust and can create a dense, lush cover, making it an excellent choice for adding a touch of greenery to vertical spaces in gardens and landscapes. Overall, Madame Galen is a breathtakingly beautiful plant with a dazzling floral display and lush foliage that can create a tropical atmosphere in suitable climates.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Bignoniaceae
Synonyms
Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Creeper, Madame Galen Trumpet Vine
Common names
Campsis × tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Trumpet Vine or Trumpet Creeper, including the cultivar Madame Galen, is generally not considered highly toxic to humans. However, handling the plant may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to its compound called urushiol. Ingestion might lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, though such occurrences are rare as it does not typically invite eating due to its nature. It's always prudent to teach children not to consume any parts of ornamental plants and to wash hands after handling plants to avoid any potential irritation.
To pets
The Trumpet Vine, also in its 'Madame Galen' variety, is known to be toxic to pets, especially dogs and cats. If ingested, the plant can cause mild to moderate digestive upset, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In some cases, pets may exhibit dermatitis or excessive scratching if they come into contact with the plant's sap. To prevent any adverse effects, it’s important for pet owners to monitor their pets around this plant and discourage them from chewing on its parts. Immediate veterinary attention is recommended if a pet shows signs of distress after ingestion or contact with the Trumpet Vine.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Salmon
Height
20-30 feet (6-9 meters)
Spread
20-30 feet (6-9 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Hybrid origin
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Campsis × tagliabuana 'Madame Galen' attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for pollination.
- Ornamental Value: This plant boasts stunning, trumpet-shaped reddish-orange flowers that add aesthetic value to landscapes and gardens.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good resistance to drought, making it suitable for climates with occasional water shortages.
- Rapid Growth: It is known for its rapid growth, allowing for quick coverage and the creation of privacy screens or vertical gardening elements.
- Heat Resistance: This plant can tolerate high temperatures, making it ideal for hot climates where many other ornamentals might suffer.
- Wall and Fence Cover: Its climbing habit makes it perfect for covering unattractive walls, fences, and pergolas, providing them with a natural, green façade.
- Adaptability: Madame Galen is adaptable to a variety of soil types, provided they are well-drained, making it versatile for different garden conditions.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care regarding watering and fertilizing, making it a good choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Acoustic Barrier: The dense growth of Trumpet Vine can be used to create a natural sound barrier against traffic or neighborhood noise.
- Fabric dye: The colorful flowers of Trumpet Vine can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics.
- Beekeeping Attractant: Plant Trumpet Vine near beehives to attract bees and improve honey production due to its high nectar content.
- Insect Repellent: The vine can be planted around outdoor seating areas to deter unwanted insects with its natural properties.
- Educational Use: The plant can serve as a teaching tool in botany courses to study pollination and vine growth habits.
- Photography Prop: Trumpet Vine's vibrant flowers and lush foliage make it an attractive subject or backdrop for garden photography.
- Erosion Control: The root system of Trumpet Vine can help stabilize soil on slopes, preventing erosion.
- Privacy Screen: When grown on trellises or fences, Trumpet Vine can create a living green screen for privacy.
- Arbor and Pergola Cover: Trumpet Vine can be trained over arbors or pergolas, providing shade and decorative appeal.
- Wildlife Habitat: The vine provides shelter and nesting sites for certain bird species and other wildlife.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Trumpet Vine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Trumpet Vine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Enthusiasm and Vitality: The trumpet-like flowers of the Trumpet Vine symbolize a burst of energy and enthusiasm, mirroring the plant's vigorous growth habit.
- Loud Presence: Much like the instrument it's named after, the Trumpet Vine can symbolize someone or something that has a bold or loud presence.
- Attraction and Magnetism: The vivid and bright flowers of the Trumpet Vine attract hummingbirds and pollinators, representing attraction and the ability to draw others in.
- Celebration: With its flamboyant blooms, the Trumpet Vine can symbolize celebrations, festivities, or any joyous occasion.
- Connection and Messages: The Trumpet Vine can be seen as a symbol for communication, considering the trumpet's historical use in relaying messages over distances.
WaterThe Trumpet Vine, commonly known as Madame Galen, requires watering about once a week, providing it with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time. During hot and dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week, ensuring the soil doesn't dry out completely. Water deeply at the plant’s base to encourage deep root growth, avoiding overhead watering to minimize leaf diseases. During winter, reduce watering to every two weeks or less, depending on the moisture level of the soil.
LightThe Trumpet Vine flourishes in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a location where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Too much shade can lead to fewer blooms and a leggy growth habit, so choose a spot with bright and unfiltered light for optimal flowering.
TemperatureThe Trumpet Vine is hardy and adaptable to a wide range of temperatures, surviving minimum winter temperatures down to about -20°F. It thrives in summer temperatures between 60°F to 90°F. Extreme heat above 100°F may stress the plant, while prolonged exposure to temperatures below -20°F without proper winter protection could cause damage.
PruningPrune the Trumpet Vine in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Pruning is necessary to control its size, shape, and to remove any dead or damaged wood. Additionally, annual pruning stimulates the growth of new shoots that will produce flowers. It's recommended to cut back the vines to a few buds per stem to maintain a tidy appearance and promote healthy blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Trumpet Vine 'Madame Galen' thrives best in well-draining soil with a loamy texture, amended with organic matter to retain some moisture but not get waterlogged. A balanced soil mix with equal parts garden soil, peat, and perlite or coarse sand creates an ideal growing medium. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingThe Trumpet Vine 'Madame Galen' typically does not require frequent repotting. It can be repotted every 3-5 years or as needed when it outgrows its container or the soil becomes compacted. As a vigorous grower, it may need to be monitored to ensure it does not become root-bound.
Humidity & MistingTrumpet Vine 'Madame Galen' is not particularly demanding in terms of humidity and can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels. It fares well in average outdoor humidity conditions, but in drier climates or indoor settings, occasional misting can help the plant maintain its vigor.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, with some direct sun, and ensure support for climbing.
Outdoor
Full to partial sun, sturdy support for climbing, protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleCampsis × tagliabuana 'Madame Galen', commonly known as Madame Galen Trumpet Vine, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in spring, gives rise to a seedling. As it grows, the plant develops a strong root system and woody vines, entering the vegetative stage during which leaves and stems expand rapidly. In the following years, it reaches maturity and starts to produce its characteristic large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of salmon and red during the summer months, which attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, flowers develop into elongated seed pods that mature and release seeds in the fall. The plant is perennial and deciduous, losing its leaves in the winter but storing energy in the roots to resprout the following spring. Over time, without control, it can become invasive due to its vigorous growth and ability to propagate through root suckers and seeds.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Trumpet Vine 'Madame Galen' is typically propagated in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is through softwood cuttings. To propagate through this method, a gardener would take a cutting of about 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) from a healthy stem, ensuring that there are several nodes present. The bottom leaves are removed and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept moist until roots have established, which is usually indicated by new growth. During this time, the cutting should be kept in a warm area with indirect sunlight. The newly rooted plants can be transplanted to their final location once they have developed a robust root system.
