It will grow to the tops of tall trees or spread along banks in our area but we have some on the fence and keep it cut off along the top of the fence. We have plenty of other things for humming birds. EP

Its flowers are rather attractive, especially to hummingbirds because of the trumpet shape. It is considered extremely invasive though. We have one that belongs to the yard behind us, and I'm always whacking back encroaching limbs. It can destroy fences, choke out other shrubs, and just doesn't behave itself. The people who live behind us don't do anything to it, and I've been tempted to pour something at its base--if I could only reach through the fence unnoticed by their pit bull. The only good part of it is that is acts as a view blocker!

Bertha

It is also a host plant for the small but attractive plebeian sphinx and the huge rustic sphinx. Good luck on getting either species. They are worth having around.

Plaidthumb,
If you can grow it where you can mow down the plants that come up from it's wide ranging roots (they will stretch out 30 feet underground from the main plant!) it's a nice plant. Mistake I made was to plant it at the back of a bed, along the fence. Now, although it does a nice job of blocking the view of my neighbors to the west, I have to keep pulling up it's "babies" from between all the other plants in the bed. That's when it really becomes a pain in the asstro turf!

All I am going to say is "KILL IT BEFORE IT MULTIPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It is about the same as Virginia Creeper, but I try to keep mine (actually my neighbors, but it is renting space in my yard now) healthy. Sometimes they look so ratty. Tomato Worm - I have heard the VC is a host plant for something, but don't recall what, do you?

As for Trumpet Creeper, my neighbor to the west has it growing at the top of is 50' trees. I guess it was trying to find sun and by gosh, it did! He also had quite a lot of it growing up the side of his house on the East side, but he pulled all of the vines down and sprayed Roundup on the ground. So far, it appears he has successfully eliminated it.

I have heard that Bignonia (another trumpet-like vine) is much easier to manage than TC. Is that so?

Susan

It does turn up everywhere but doesn't seem particularly difficult to pull up, as long as you're vigilant. I inherited mine and do enjoy the fact that it brings the hummers.

I have it on the side of a storage barn. These pics are from last year and this year it is so much more vibrant and nicer. These have been planted for a little more than 5 years. I know they are supposed to be invasive, but I love them anyway. This is the one flower that brings back great childhood memories for me. I just pull out anything that I don't want to grow and haven't had it become difficult yet.

Been a bit behind lately, just trying to catch up...

Is it possible to plant it in a partially-buried bucket to help contain it??

Plaidthumb, only if you keep the seed pods picked off. The birds eat the seeds and replant it where you least expect it. And it gets huge, 50/60/70 feet in the air in trees.
Trumpet "creeper" doesn't begin to explain what this very invasive plant does. It can crack the foundations on houses. And no matter how often it is mowed, the underground runners just keep going. I understand that it is up there on the list with Kudsu(sp).

ChaseUDwn - I notice you are also somewhat of an aroid freak like me! I see you have Illustris, esculenta, esculenta fontanesii, and perhaps others that I'm unable to ID. Do you grow any amorphs? Jacks? Pinellias? Arums?

Susan

Susan, that was a pic from last year. I have many aroids this year. Here are a few pics of them.

Here is favorite ee before it grew up.

And this is my most favorite flower of all.
{{gwi:1114513}}