A fast, heat-loving vine that climbs bare masonry on its own using small, claw-like tendrils. It covers big hot walls quickly and puts on a burst of large yellow trumpet flowers in spring. It is also one of the most aggressive vines sold in the Valley, so placement and control matter.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. Extra water only speeds its spread, so keep it lean once it has covered the area you want.
Pruning
Plan on regular cutting back to keep it within bounds. Trim it away from roof edges, eaves, windows and nearby trees before it can climb into them.
Removal
Once established it is difficult to remove completely. The tendrils leave marks on walls, and it can regrow from roots left in the ground.
How our designers use it
Large, hot walls
When a long, sun-baked wall needs fast green cover and nothing else will take the heat, it does the job without a trellis.
Contained spaces only
We generally limit it to freestanding walls well away from the house, trees and neighboring properties, where its spread can be managed.
Shade on a ramada
Trained over a sturdy ramada or fence, it can create dense summer shade.
Good to know
Invasive tendencies
It is considered invasive in Florida and other warm, wet regions. In Phoenix it can climb into tree canopies and over buildings if left alone, and it is hard to get rid of once established.
Around the pool
It has no thorns, but it drops spent flowers and leaves. Keep it off pool walls that you don’t want permanently covered.
