Campsis Indian Summer - The Perfect Climber for Summer Colour

Trumpet Vine

If you want to create bold, vertical drama in your garden, few plants deliver the visual impact of Campsis Indian Summer. With its exotic, trumpet-shaped flowers and vigorous growth habit, this eye-catching climber transforms walls, fences, and pergolas into dazzling floral displays. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know to successfully grow, train, and care for this stunning trumpet vine in UK gardens.

Campsis Indian Summer is a standout hybrid that merges the hardiness of Campsis radicans with the more refined flower form of Campsis grandiflora. The result? A climber that offers reliable performance in British gardens and truly spectacular floral displays. From mid-summer into early autumn, it produces abundant clusters of vibrant orange-red, trumpet-shaped flowers, each bloom reaching up to 8 cm across.

These flamboyant flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies and create a bold, tropical effect even in temperate settings. The glossy, dark green, pinnate foliage contrasts beautifully with the fiery blooms, enhancing the overall display. Best of all, ‘Indian Summer’ is less rampant than the common trumpet vine, making it easier to manage in smaller gardens.

Successful establishment begins with careful soil preparation and thoughtful planting. Choose a site with fertile, free-draining soil enriched with well-rotted manure to improve structure and fertility. This helps create the ideal environment for strong root development and long-term plant health.

Position the plant with its crown level with the soil surface and backfill firmly. Water thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the first growing season to help roots settle. Although Campsis has self-clinging aerial roots, it benefits from light support in the early stages to guide stems in the right direction. Tie in new shoots gently until they anchor themselves to a wall or structure.

Selecting the correct position is essential for encouraging vigorous growth and prolific flowering. Campsis thrives in full sun, where it can soak up at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. A warm, sheltered wall—ideally south- or west-facing—will enhance flowering and protect young shoots from cold winds.

Avoid planting in exposed, windy locations, damaging emerging growth and reducing flower production. Good air circulation is also essential to minimise the risk of fungal issues, especially in humid conditions.

For best performance, plant Campsis Indian Summer in moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter. While tolerant of various soil types, it performs best in neutral to slightly acidic conditions. Once established, the plant becomes remarkably drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture during the first couple of seasons is essential.

Regarding hardiness, ‘Indian Summer’ is well-suited to most UK gardens. It can tolerate winter temperatures below –15°C (5°F), especially if planted in a sheltered microclimate. A thick mulch applied in late autumn helps insulate the roots and conserve soil moisture during winter.

The flowering season of Campsis Indian Summer typically begins in late July and extends through September, bringing sustained interest at a time when many other garden plants start to fade. Its bright, trumpet-shaped flowers are borne in generous clusters along the stems, standing out vividly against the dark green backdrop of compound leaves.

Each flower measures up to 8 cm long and opens wide to form a funnel-like shape that’s especially attractive to late-summer pollinators. Flowering is most prolific in warm, sunny summers, particularly once the plant is well-established, often from the second or third year onwards.

Although less aggressive than some other Campsis varieties, ‘Indian Summer’ is still a fast-growing climber, reaching 3–4 metres (10–13 feet) in height with a spread of around 2–3 metres (6–10 feet). New growth appears rapidly in spring, and it can quickly cover vertical structures with the right conditions.

Train young stems horizontally to encourage flowering shoots to develop along the length of the framework. This lateral training method encourages flower production and helps fill space more evenly.

While Campsis is relatively low-maintenance once established, annual pruning is crucial to maintaining its shape, encouraging flowering, and controlling size. Prune in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Cut back all stems from the previous year to within two or three buds of the main framework.

This hard pruning encourages the formation of vigorous, flowering shoots and prevents the plant from becoming too woody or overgrown. At the same time, remove any weak, damaged, or dead stems. Feeding in early spring with a balanced fertiliser promotes healthy foliage and bud formation, while a liquid high-potassium feed in summer supports continued blooming.

Campsis Indian Summer is generally free from serious pests or diseases, but occasional issues may arise. Young shoots are vulnerable to late frosts, so protect plants during sudden cold snaps in spring. Good airflow around the plant helps prevent mildew and other fungal problems, particularly in damp conditions.

Avoid overfeeding with nitrogen-rich fertilisers, as this can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Watering during prolonged dry spells in summer will help sustain flowering, though once mature, the plant copes well with drought.

Campsis Indian Summer is ideal for adding exotic flair and vertical interest to garden designs. Use it to cloak unsightly walls, scramble up pergolas, or enhance the structure of an outdoor seating area with a flowering canopy. The vibrant orange blooms contrast strongly when paired with cooler-toned flowers such as Salvia, Verbena bonariensis, or deep-purple clematis.

You can train it over a freestanding arch or arbour to create a dramatic seasonal entrance. More formal designs add a Mediterranean feel when combined with terracotta pots, stone paving, and silvery foliage like lavender or Artemisia.

Campsis ‘Indian Summer’ is a real standout in my late-summer garden. I’ve trained it up a warm, south-facing brick wall where it catches the afternoon sun, and the results are spectacular. The sheer intensity of those orange-red blooms against the dark green foliage adds such energy to the space, and it never fails to turn heads. What I love most is that it gives that bold, exotic look without being overly demanding. A bit of guidance when it’s young, an annual prune, and a good feed in spring—and it just gets on with the job. If you’ve got a sunny spot and a structure to support it, this is one climber I wholeheartedly recommend. It’s a brilliant way to inject colour and height into your garden, especially when so many other plants are starting to wind down.

• Plant in a sunny, sheltered position
• Provide well-drained soil
• Prune annually in late winter
• Water regularly during establishment
• Feed annually in spring
• Monitor for pests and diseases
• Allow space for growth
• Choose appropriate support structures
• Protect from harsh winds
• Maintain good air circulation

With its vibrant trumpet blooms, manageable growth, and architectural climbing habit, Campsis Indian Summer is a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to add long-lasting colour and impact to vertical spaces. Whether you’re training it up a sunny wall, covering an arch, or enhancing a courtyard with exotic flair, this reliable climber rewards minimal effort with maximum beauty.

Its hardiness, versatility, and exotic appeal make it suitable for both traditional and contemporary garden settings. Once established, it becomes a striking, low-maintenance feature that brings a welcome burst of colour in late summer. Following this guide’s planting and care tips, you’ll enjoy years of dramatic blooms and lush greenery from this sensational trumpet vine.

Check out the RHS article here.

Explore our full collection of planting guides for expert advice on climbers and wall shrubs.

Want to learn about other climbers and wall shrubs? Read about Coronilla glauca Citrina here.

Q: What is Campsis × tagliabuana Indian Summer?

A: Campsis × tagliabuana Indian Summer is a deciduous climber known for its vivid orange trumpet-shaped flowers. This hybrid is prized for its long flowering period and compact, more manageable growth than other trumpet vines. It is ideal for adding bold summer colour to walls, fences, or pergolas.

Q: How tall does ‘Indian Summer’ grow?

A: ‘Indian Summer’ can grow to a height of around 4–8 metres (13–26 feet) with a similar spread. It’s less vigorous than other Campsis varieties, making training and maintaining in smaller gardens easier.

Q: What are the ideal growing conditions?

A: This plant prefers full sun and a sheltered position, ideally against a south- or west-facing wall. It thrives in well-drained soil and benefits from the warmth reflected off walls or hard surfaces. In cooler regions, protection from harsh winds and cold is recommended.

Q: Does ‘Indian Summer’ need support?

A: Yes, it requires support to climb. Use trellises, wires, or pergolas to guide its growth. Although it produces aerial roots, it won’t cling as aggressively as ivy and benefits from being tied in while young.

Q: How often should I feed Campsis Indian Summer?

A: Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser or organic plant food. A second feed during early summer will help promote flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, as it can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Q: When and how should I prune it?

A: Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or weak growth and shortening side shoots to encourage new flowering stems. It responds well to pruning and can be trained to shape as needed.

Q: Is Campsis ‘Indian Summer’ hardy in the UK?

A: It is generally hardy in southern parts of the UK, tolerating temperatures to approximately -15°C (5°F). In colder areas, it may need winter protection or be grown in a large container that can be moved to shelter during frosts.

Q: How long does it take to flower?

A: ‘Indian Summer’ typically begins flowering in the second or third year after planting. Flowering usually starts mid to late summer and can last well into autumn if favourable conditions are favourable.

Q: Are there any pests or diseases I should watch for?

A: Campsis is generally trouble-free, but you may occasionally see aphids or spider mites, especially in warm, dry weather. Monitor regularly and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.

Q: Can Campsis ‘Indian Summer’ be grown in pots?

A: It can be grown in a large container, provided it has ample support and is fed and watered consistently. Use a high-quality loam-based compost and ensure good drainage.

Q: Where can I buy Campsis × tagliabuana ‘Indian Summer’?

A: You can find ‘Indian Summer’ at many garden centres across the UK, especially during spring and summer. It is also widely available through reputable online nurseries and plant retailers.