Yellow Trumpet Vine

The Yellow Trumpet Vine

This is the time of year when most gardeners roam around their gardens and start to evaluate what was successful this past summer and what did not do well.

Last year I purchased a Yellow Trumpet Vine from a local Family Garden Center. I chose this particular plant because I had seen one while touring the local Garden Walk some time ago. I had erected a new garden fence and wanted to have a quick cover of flowers on the back fence wall.

Well it was planted as directed and here we are 18 months later and nothing has happened. Not a flower in sight.

The photos shown above are of a thriving Yellow Trumpet Vine. I thought that I would show the photos to remind me what it was that I was expecting to see.

After some research I discovered that this is a common problem with this plant.

On a conversational website I read complaints from several readers who stated that the vine sometimes takes 3 years to flower. Some even stated that they had their plant for 10 years with no flowering. So, I am declaring this vine as not doing well this year and I guess that I will wait another year (or two, or three) to see if it blooms.

I also read that the vine is so invasive that it can actually destroy the foundations of houses or garages. I am safe at the moment as the vine that I planted is about 80 feet from the house. another hint I received was to purchase a product called Vine-X that will actually kill a Trumpet Vine. (www.vine-x.com)

No, I am not planning to murder it at this time - I am in a 'wait and see' mode with the vine but thought that this information might be useful to those who have just given up on it. :-)

The redeeming hope for me is the actual beauty of the Yellow Trumpet Vine. As you can see in the photos above it is a plant to admire even though it seems to have some hidden problems not apparent to the eye.

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If you have any suggestions for me please comment - it will be appreciated.