The Bodacious Crossvine

HAVE AN UGLY fence or wall in need of being dressed up? Trellis looking bare and bland? Like the idea of lounging under a canopy of living shade? Searching for a vertical landscape accent? If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, I have a solution, but it might not be for the fainthearted gardener.

The crossvine ( Bignonia capreolata ) is a strong climber that covers a lot of territory — its branches can effortlessly stretch to over 30 feet if allowed to roam. That’s big. That’s bodacious.

Native to the Southeast, crossvine is a woody ornamental that can survive typical winters in the Cary area, although it might slip to semi-evergreen during prolonged cold spells. Its name comes from the cross shape that can be found on the end of a cut stem.

Springtime is when this climber is really in its full glory because it becomes festooned — yes, I said “festooned” — with trumpetshaped blooms that are normally reddishorange and yellow in color, and they are irresistible to bees, butterflies, and (especially) hummingbirds. Its dazzling display can last up to a month, with lesser blossoming continuing well into the summer.

This native beauty caught the attention of plant breeders, meaning catchy cultivars have been developed. ‘Tangerine Beauty’ is probably the most popular of current selections, but ‘Jekyll’ is also worth considering for its improved durability to nasty winters. Crossvines shouldn’t be hard to spot at local nurseries this time of year, and they certainly are easy finds online.

Crossvine blooms best in full sun, so site it accordingly. Also, keep it happy by planting in well-draining soil that has been heavily amended. To maintain crossvine to a desirable size, every two to three years, whip out the pruners after its initial big spring flower show winds down. Crossvine can spread by root suckers that pop up close to the momma plant, but if you want to keep it in bounds on the ground, just dig up the crossvine wannabes.

Speaking of spreading, the similar looking trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is often compared to, and confused with, crossvine. The main difference is that trumpet vine, which is also a native capable of growing over 30 feet in length, is an invasive, garden-grabbing brute that aggressively multiplies by way of rampant, far-spreading underground runners and weedy seeds.

Stick with crossvine. Sure it can be a biggie, too, but it is an easier-to-control, beautiful, bodacious biggie. t

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Want to ask L.A. a question about your garden? Contact him by email at lajackson1@gmail.com.

Timely Tip

Prefer directly sowing seeds in your garden? Well, sling away, backyard grower, but let the sun shine, shine, shine on the seeds of such plant delights as osteospermums, coleus, petunias, balloon flowers, nicotiana, ageratums, lettuce, and impatiens. Their seeds germinate best while basking in the full energy of direct sunlight, meaning if you plant them too deep, it will become a grave. So, simply sprinkle the plants-to-be over prepared growing ground and lightly pat them into the soil. Since the seeds are so close to the surface, be sure to keep them evenly watered until sprouts appear. Then, thin the young plantlets to their proper spacing requirements.

To Do in the GARDEN

• Besides crossvine, if you also enjoy the pleasures of annual ornamental and vegetable vines, and will be stringing trellises to guide their rambling ways, why not add more color and interest to these structures? Sure, regular white string will provide upward paths for annual vines, but so can colorful yarns that are easily found at local craft shops.

• If your green thumb has been itching to get growing in the veggie patch, give it a good scratch this month by planting cauliflower, Swiss chard, collards, dill, lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, beets, carrots, cabbage, kale, leeks, mustard greens, parsley, onions, potatoes, spinach, radishes, or turnips.

March

• Going to till garden beds early this month? Good idea, but first grab a handful of dirt and squeeze it. If it holds together in a tight ball, it is too wet, and if you turn the soil over in that condition, your first harvest of the season will be a bumper crop of dirt clods.

• Planning to put up new birdhouses this spring? Just remember to buy or build birdhouses made of wood. Compared to metal or plastic, wood is a better insulator, which helps prevent the feathered occupants from overheating during the sizzle of the summer.

Happenings

FIRST TEE — TRIANGLE broke ground on their Center for Youth Development as part of their larger mission to provide a safe place where participants can study, learn about leadership, make new friends, and develop the life skills that come from playing the game of golf. firstteetriangle.org

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry recently opened its newest store location at Fenton in Cary. The Cary location is the latest addition to Bailey’s roster of NC stores, including Raleigh’s Village District and Crabtree Valley Mall, Greenville’s Lynndale Shoppes, and Rocky Mount’s West End Plaza. baileybox.com

In February, GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center, celebrated the grand opening of its “forever home” in downtown Cary at 370 S. Walker St., Suite 122. This new location features four learning labs, a gym, a full kitchen, a sensory room, and a large play area. gigisplayhouse.org

Mrs. Ruth’s Jams in Apex is a finalist in The Good Food Awards for her Blueberry Lemon Basil in the preserves category and Chatham House Blueberry Mustard in the pantry category. The Good Food Awards honor superior tasting products made by companies that demonstrate social and environmental responsibility. Congratulations, Mrs. Ruth! mrsruthjams.com

Blush Cowork, a female-focused coworking space in Cary, welcomed HEATHER ECK as its first Artist in Residence at its newly created in-house gallery at the end of January. Eck’s exhibit, Making a Way, features eight original paintings and will run through March 31. blushcowork.com

TIM CHLOPOWICZ, a longtime volunteer at Second Chance, the oldest non-kill animal shelter in Wake County, held his annual pie-to-the-face fundraiser — Help Tim Save Animals — at the beginning of January. For every $1,000 raised, Chlopowicz gets hit in the face with a pie (all pies are donated by Once in a Blue Moon Bakery). Many pies later (and with help this year from the Junior Hurricanes 15U Red Squad), his efforts have now raised over $40,000 for the organization! secondchancenc.org

BOND BROTHERS BEER CO.

Coastal Credit Union has hired ODENE JAMES as its new Vice President of Risk Management. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, her expertise spans both the private and public sectors, where she has served in various roles at several financial institutions. Coast24.com

Truss Vet, a veterinary urgent care clinic, is officially open and excited to serve the four-legged community! Located at 720 Fenton Market Way, Truss Vet offers walkin and same-day appointments, extended hours, and the ability to reserve a spot in line ahead of your visit. trussvet.com will be opening a new taproom, NOCO — or No Company — at Salvage Yard at Raleigh Iron Works. With over 6,000 square feet of indoor space for brewing and seating, the taproom will feature a wide selection of craft beer brewed on-site, with the addition of coffee, tea, craft cocktails, wine, and a light locally sourced food menu. bondbrothersbeer.com

Stretch Zone Cary celebrated its grand opening at the beginning of February. The Stretch Zone provides a way to gradually increase flexibility via dynamic stretches with the help of trained stretch practitioners. stretchzone.com/locations/cary

The NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART held its grand opening of the NCMA Café, a new restaurant located in the West Building, on Jan. 14. Visitors can enjoy intriguing small bites, Southern-inspired entrées, and a coffee lounge featuring barista-crafted beverages for a quick pick-me-up between visiting the galleries. ncmafood.com