One of Indiana’s few showy clinging vines, with large, striking flowers that attract hummingbirds and sphinx moths! It blooms through most of the summer in ideal conditions, and is very hardy and fast growing once it gets its taproot down. This is a clinging vine, so won’t grow on a metal trellis: large polls, privacy fences, dead trees, and gazebos all make good support structures. Some have had success growing it up shorter posts and trimming it to achieve a bush shape. Blooms most prolifically in full sun, but is surprisingly tolerant of bright shade and can be crown up the trunks of living locust and walnut trees. Prone to runnering, so best planted in a woodland edge situation, or on a post/dead tree/gazebo that is mowed around. 

Note that this is a big, long lived vine with a taproot so we do not recommend letting it grow up the wall of a house or shed. Check the photos for a picture of an old plant in a botanical garden that has completely consumed multiple gazebos!

Pollination: 2+ individuals needed.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Wet Mesic, Mesic, Dry Mesic

Soil Type: Adaptable

Height: Up to 40’

Width: Up to 40’

Bloom Color: Orange

Bloom Time: Jun-Aug

Fruit: Seeds mature in long, cylindrical pods.

Fall Color: -

Root Type: Taproot

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract hummingbirds, bumblebees, sphinx moths, and occasionally orioles. Extra-floral nectaries attract some ants, flies, and small bees. Hosts at least two moths and a leaf beetle. Rarely browsed by mammals. Dense growth and creeping habit makes excellent habitat for many songbirds.

Notes: Vines in flower can be spotted along roadsides and are still considered common, but, like so many other “common” species, their numbers have been vastly reduced in recent years due to the removal of fencerows and blanket usage of herbicide.