Cross-vine (Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty')
Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty', or Cross-vine, is vigorous, fast-growing, and suited for zones 5-9 with showy, fragrant tangerine blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ is a fast-growing, vigorous woody climber appreciated for its spectacular bloom display and its ability to rapidly cloak structures in attractive foliage. This vine, commonly known as Cross-vine, secures itself using branched tendrils equipped with adhesive disks, allowing it to scale walls and trellises effectively. It provides excellent coverage across fences, arbors, and pillars, offering both evergreen screening in warmer climates and seasonal color elsewhere.
The defining feature of this cultivar is its showy, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers splashed with tangerine hues that appear reliably between May and June. While adaptable, Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ produces the most abundant flowers when situated in full sun, though it tolerates partial and even heavy shade. Gardeners must manage its vigorous growth, though its medium maintenance level keeps it accessible for most landscape applications.
This native vine is a spectacular choice for covering large vertical spaces quickly, transforming utilitarian structures into vibrant focal points. The specific epithet refers to the cross-like marking visible in a cross-section of the stem, adding botanical interest to the already engaging Cross-vine. Plan site selection carefully to ensure this plant has the support it needs to reach its full 20 to 30-foot potential.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Bignoniaceae
- Plant Type: Vine
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 20-30 ft
- Spread: 6-9 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Tangerine
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The Cross-vine thrives when planted in average, well-drained soils that retain medium moisture levels. Locate plants where they will receive ample sunlight—full sun provides the best flower production—although they readily adapt to partial shade conditions. Planting is best done in spring or early fall once the danger of hard frost has passed in your region.
Watering should be consistent, maintaining medium soil moisture, especially as the plant establishes its deep root system. Pruning is generally only necessary after the flowering period concludes if shape control is required, as aggressive pruning can remove next season’s potential blooms. Be aware that in colder spots within Zone 5, the top growth of Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ may die back in severe winters, but the roots usually survive to sprout new growth vigorously the following spring.
Established plants can sometimes produce root suckers, requiring removal if you wish to restrict the spread of the vine. Gardeners in colder climates, such as those near the Zone 5 margin, should select a protected location and consider applying a winter mulch around the base to shield the roots during intense cold snaps.
Landscape Uses
Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ excels as a rapid, vigorous cover for almost any substantial vertical structure in the landscape. It is an ideal choice for quickly greening up tall fences, obscuring unsightly utility boxes, or decorating robust arbors, pillars, and pergolas. The foliage, which remains evergreen in southern regions, provides excellent visual depth.
Due to its robust climbing nature and large flower display, integrate this vine where its size will not overwhelm smaller plantings. It can also be allowed to ramble across the ground as an effective, dense groundcover in large areas where vertical support is unavailable or undesirable. Ensure companions planted nearby share similar sun and water requirements for easy collective care.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Bignonia capreolata, known as cross-vine, is a vigorous, woody vine that climbs by branched tendrils with adhesive disks. It is grown primarily for its attractive flowers and its ability to rapidly cover structures with attractive foliage. Foliage remains evergreen in the South, but turns reddish-purple in fall with subsequent leaf drop in the colder winter areas of its range. In full bloom, the flowering can be spectacular.
Tolerances
- Heavy Shade
Potential Problems
The main advantage of Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ is its generally pest-free nature; it suffers from no serious insect or disease problems under proper growing conditions. Monitor occasionally for general vine issues, but seldom will significant intervention be required for pest management. Focus your attention primarily on cultural care, such as managing winter dieback in cooler zones and controlling aggressive root suckering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Cross-vine suitable for?
Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ grow?
This vigorous vine typically reaches heights between 20 and 30 feet, with a spread ranging from 6 to 9 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Cross-vine need?
For optimal performance and the best floral show, Cross-vine prefers full sun, though it tolerates a range extending into part shade.
When does Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ bloom?
The plant flowers in late spring to early summer, typically from May to June, displaying striking tangerine blossoms.
Conclusion
The Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’ offers unparalleled vertical coverage combined with spectacular, fragrant blooms, making the vigorous Cross-vine an indispensable choice for covering large structures. Ensure you evaluate your local hardiness zone compatibility and provide sturdy support when installing this visually rewarding specimen.
Companion Planting
When siting Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’, consider pairing it with other plants that enjoy similar moisture and sun profiles, particularly those that appreciate the filtered light it might cast once established. Consider planting Clematis species that bloom at different times to extend flowering interest on an arbor, or use low-growing, drought-tolerant perennials underneath to avoid root competition once the Cross-vine is mature. Since the foliage can be dense, ensure that lower-growing companions benefit from morning sun rather than being completely shaded out later in the day.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the critical time for observing the emerging growth of your Cross-vine; this is the ideal moment for any light shaping or removal of dead wood from winter stress before new buds swell. Summer care centers on consistent watering to support flowering and rapid vegetative growth, especially in hot, dry spells. In autumn, in colder zones, ensure the base of the vine is mulched well to insulate the roots ahead of winter dormancy. Winter cleanup involves removing old seed capsules if they persist, although they often drop naturally, and ensuring the vine is not physically damaged by heavy snow or ice loading.
