Friday, September 18, 2009

Perennial Trumpet Vine

Ian and I were amazed at the size and apparent age of this lovely trumpet vine at the Biltmore conservatory. It must be very old since its stem has become woody. It's taller than me!

huge trumpet vine at biltmore

We had a little debate about how they kept this plant alive over the winter. Assuming it is an annual, I figured it is in a big pot in the ground and that they take it into the conservatory when temperatures dip too low, but Ian couldn't believe something that size could be moved that easily and decided it must be winter hardy.

I have always thought Trumpet Vine is an annual, but apparently there are perennial varieties available that are hardy up to -30F. Ian was right. They must leave this plant right where it is all year long!

3 Comments:

At 10:41 PM , Blogger Tami said...

Now I wish you had asked. That is a very interesting question.

 
At 10:39 PM , Blogger Christopher C. NC said...

Hi Tammy. The shrub you are standing next to is a Brugmansia. One of its common names is Angel's Trumpet, but it is not related to the Trumpet vine. It is not winter hardy at all and Biltmore would have to bring it inside or root cuttings to over winter it. It roots very easy from fat woody stems so that isn't a problem.

 
At 7:16 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks for the info!

 

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