How to Grow a Hummingbird Vine

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A hummingbird vine is also known as a trumpet vine. It got its names from the trumpet shaped flowers that grow on it which are a favorite of the hummingbird. This plant is also sometimes called a trumpet creeper or a cow itch vine. Read on to learn how to grow hummingbird vine.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Start your hummingbird vine by sowing seeds outdoors in the fall or getting an offspring from someone who has a vine in the spring.

Step2

Plant the vine some place where it will get full sun or partial shade. A hummingbird vine will not grow in full shade.

Step3

Give the vine something to climb on. A fence or pole is best. Do not allow the vine to grow on a tree, it will strangle and kill the tree. While it might be tempting to plant a Hummingbird vine near your house, it is never a good idea. The vine will grow very large with a woody stalk and can become as large as a tree. It needs plenty of room to grow.

Step4

Prune your hummingbird vine in spring or fall. Pruning the vine on a regular basis will prevent it from getting too large.

Step5

Deadhead the vine as the flowers die if you do not want seed pods to form. If you want to get seeds from your hummingbird vine do not deadhead it. Seed pods will form in the fall. The pods should be left on the vine to dry before collecting the seeds.

Step6

Water during dry periods. It is not necessary to water you hummingbird vine when you are getting average rainfall, but if there is a dry period be sure to give it a drink.

Step7

Weed out the offspring of the vine if you do not want them growing all over your yard. Hummingbird vines can become invasive in the right growing conditions.

Tips & Warnings

If you live in an area that has mild winters and fertile soil, you might want to plant your hummingbird vine in a five gallon pot with the bottom cut off. This will help to keep it somewhat contained and less invasive.
Wear gloves when handling a hummingbird vine. Contact with the plant does cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people.