Campsis radicans x grandiflora Grenadine 'Rutcam'

Campsis Grenadine Rutcam' is a new hybrid trumpet vine that stands out from other varieties due to its vigour, as well as the early flowering, abundance, and duration of its blooms. This vigorous climbing plant displays large, bright red trumpets from June onwards, arranged in loose clusters that continue to bloom until September. The coral red flowers complement the vibrant green foliage, which is beautifully cut. Its tendrils with climbing roots can attach to any available support, whether it be a pergola, a wall or an old tree. Similar to wisteria, this trumpet vine can easily be trained as a tree.

Campsis x tagliabuana is a plant from the Bignoniaceae family, resulting from the cross-breeding of Campsis radicans, native to the hot and dry regions of the southeastern United States, and Campsis grandiflora, native to China. Obtained around 1850 in the Tagliabue brothers' nursery near Milan, it possesses the excellent hardiness of its American parent and the strong climbing roots as well as the large spectacular flowers of its Asian ancestor.

The 'Grenadine' variety is a recent American creation, introduced in 2007. It was actually discovered in a garden in the state of Georgia, USA, as early as 1993. This deciduous climbing vine grows rapidly, reaching over 6m (20ft) in height and 4m (13ft) in width in just a few years. However, its growth can be easily controlled through regular pruning.

'Grenadine' has a woody stump and produces underground runners. The abundant flowering occurs in the first years of cultivation. It starts in June in average climates, sometimes as early as late April in mild climates, and continues until September. The flowers bloom in the axils of the leaves, in 30cm (12in) clusters composed of 6 to 16 trumpets, measuring 7 to 8cm (3in) in length, with 5 lobes. Each flower, with its vibrant red-pink colour and perfectly uniform shade, has a more orangish reverse side. From a distance, the flowering displays an extremely bright red colour. The throat of the flower is occupied by short curved stamens. The deciduous foliage, fairly dark green and yellowish on the underside, is composed of finely cut leaves with 12 ovate leaflets with notched edges. It is not very susceptible to diseases. It is the tendrils with climbing roots that allow the plant to attach to its support.

Campsis x tagliabuana 'Grenadine' can be used anywhere, to cover a wall protected from cold winds, an unsightly building, a well-exposed facade, a fence, a tired wall, or an old gnarled tree. Its tendrils conquer this providential structure, covering its twisted forms with a green and curly hairdo weighed down by clusters of red flpwers, which are splendid for 3 months. At its base, plant violet, blue, and fuchsia sage shrubs, Cerastostigma griffithii with small unreal blue flowers, a perennial pea, mauve and blue asters, and a variegated euphorbia. The mix is magical from June to September. This plant can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). For example, you can combine it with other original climbing plants such as Actinidia kolomikta, Clematis Black Tea, or Clematis H F Young, which is very blue, to create a scene full of colours.