Campsis capreolata Atrosanguinea

Campsis capreolata 'Atrosanguinea' differs from the typical climbing trumpet vine only by its very dark red flowers, illuminated by yellow flags. It is a large climbing vine that blooms from April to July and then in September with long trumpets that release a unique fragrance, combining the round and sweet notes of chocolate with the more bitter notes of roasted coffee. Its foliage, tough and evergreen in not too cool climates, is dark green and has violet reflections in winter. Undemanding in terms of soil type, perfectly resistant to drought, moderately hardy, it will thrive in full sun or partial shade in hot climates.

Campsis capreolata is a species in the Bignonia family, native to the hot and dry regions of the southeastern United States. It is an evergreen climber with a woody stump and rapid growth, reaching 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet) in height in a few years, even more in the wild. The plant attaches itself to its support using highly effective branching tendrils equipped with small discs that adhere like suction cups to even the smoothest surfaces. The flowering period is very spread out, starting in April in mild climates and continuing until June-July, then blooming again in September. The flowers bloom in the axils of the leaves, in dense clusters of elongated trumpets, 5 cm (2in) long, with 5 yellow lobes and a very dark red-purple coloration in their tubes. Their surprising and sweet fragrance evokes both chocolate and coffee, like that of a toffee. The flowering is followed by the formation of 15 cm (6in) long pods containing the seeds. The foliage, normally evergreen, often becomes deciduous in cool climates. It is composed of leaves with four leaflets, the two farthest from the stem being thin tendrils that allow the plant to attach itself. If it persists, the foliage takes on a slightly violet coloration in winter. The bark of this climber is a greyish-brown colour and cracks with age.

Campsis or Bignonia capreolata 'Atrosanguinea' can be used anywhere, to cover a wall sheltered from cold winds, an unsightly building, a south-facing facade, a fence, or a trellis. This plant can tolerate short periods of freezing temperatures around -12°C (10.4°F) and absolutely needs to be protected during the first years of cultivation in cold climates. This is its only requirement and probably its only weakness. It grows in well-drained and dry soils, even limestone or poor soils, which do not prevent it from flowering joyfully.