Not every Trumpet Vine is built to handle the cold. If you’ve got the American Trumpet Vine, you’re in luck—it handles freezing temperatures like a champ. But even with other varieties, you can get them through the winter safely if you take a few simple steps before the first frost hits.
Not Every Variety Is Winter-Hardy!
There are three main types of Trumpet Vines, and they don’t all handle the cold the same way. The American Trumpet Vine (botanically known as *Campsis radicans*) is the gold standard for winter hardiness. The Hybrid Trumpet Vine is also quite tough. For both of these, you can usually count on them surviving temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C) without much trouble.
On the flip side, you have varieties like the Chinese Trumpet Vine. These are super sensitive to frost, and I usually don’t recommend planting them directly in the ground if you live in a colder climate. Instead, try growing them in a large container. That way, you can move the plant to a warmer spot once winter arrives. Just keep in mind that since these are climbers, they’ll be attached to a trellis or railing—so whatever they’re climbing on has to move with them!
These varieties are generally winter-hardy:
- Flamenco
- Flava
- Stromboli
- Indian Summer
- Madame Galen
How to Overwinter Your Trumpet Vines
To give your plants some extra protection, you can mulch the base with fallen leaves. I like to make a little “corral” using chicken wire or a small wooden border around the base of the plant, then fill it up with leaves. This acts as natural insulation against the cold. Alternatively, you can use evergreen boughs. Just tuck them into the soil so they stay put even when the winter wind starts howling.
Choosing the right spot from the get-go also makes a huge difference. If you plant your vine in a spot that’s sheltered from the wind, you won’t have to worry nearly as much about winter protection. If you’ve picked a hardy variety and a good location, you’ll find that these plants are actually pretty low-maintenance once the snow starts falling.