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![Bignonia capreolata Tried and True Native Plant Selections Cross-vine for the Mid-Atlantic This semi-evergreen vine can cling to stone, brick, and wood without support. Found in forests and along roadsides mainly in the South,* its showy, two-tone flowers are an early nectar source for butterflies and hummers. Cross-vine refers to the cross-shaped pattern of the cut stem. Vine Flowers on Supported Vines and Close-ups Height: 30–45 feet Spread: 6–9 feet Bloom Color: Reddish, orange, yellow Characteristics Climbing, woody, semi-evergreen vine Climbs by means of clinging, branched tendrils w/ terminal holdfasts (adhesive disks), and twining Opposite, compound leaves (paired ovate or elliptic leaflets w/ tendril in between) turn reddish-purple in fall; axils often w/ pair of small accessory leaves Axillary cymes of 2–5, fragrant, trumpet-like flowers —each red to orange corolla with 5 shallow lobes, sometimes yellow, curling backward—May to June Flat, green fruit capsules turn brown Aug–Oct Spreads rapidly by root suckers; can run rampant Attributes Tolerates shade, drought, brief flooding; no serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage Ethnobotanic uses Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, mammals; larval host to ~2 lepidopterans incl. Rustic Sphinx Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Excellent Replacement for Akebia quinata - Chocolate Vine Ampelopsis brevipedunculata - Porcelainberry Celastrus orbiculatus - Oriental Bittersweet Clematis terniflora - Sweet Autumn Clematis Jasminum dichotomum - Jasmine Lonicera japonica - Japanese Honeysuckle Wisteria floribunda & W. sinensis - Asian Wisteria Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist, Wet Flowers best in sun; after bloom, prune if needed Cut root suckers to control aggressive growth Use as climber on arbors & fences or as a ground cover [It will climb any structure it encounters.] Hardiness: USDA Zones 5a–9b *In VA, it is frequent to common in the southern and central Coastal Plain, southern Piedmont, and portions of the far southwestern mountains and rare elsewhere. It is native to NoVA except for Prince William County. In MD, it is reported in two counties, but primarily in Worcester County. developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Christa Watters, Simpson Gardens and by Elaine Mills (bottom left) & Mary Free (bottom right), Glencarlyn Garden](https://i0.wp.com/mgnv.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Bignonia_capreolata.2026.jpg?resize=612%2C1008&ssl=1)
Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic
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Bignonia capreolata (Cross-vine)
This semi-evergreen vine can cling to stone, brick, and wood without support. Found in forests and along roadsides mainly in the South,* its showy, two-tone flowers are an early nectar source for butterflies and hummers. Cross-vine refers to the cross-shaped pattern of the cut stem.
*In VA, it is frequent to common in the southern and central Coastal Plain, southern Piedmont, and portions of the far southwestern mountains and rare elsewhere. It is native to NoVA except for Prince William County. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here. In MD, it is reported in two counties, but primarily in Worcester County.
Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets