Crossvine

Crossvine is a perennial vine native to East Texas, Pineywoods, Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie. It grows best in part sun with low water needs.

Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is a native woody vine that grows fast and blooms early. Trumpet-shaped orange-red flowers cover the vine in March and April, right when ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive in Texas. The leaves stay on the vine through most of the winter, giving you cover when other deciduous plants are bare.

Crossvine is non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses (not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control toxic plant list). That makes it the standard dog-safe swap for the toxic Carolina Jessamine and the invasive Japanese Honeysuckle. In HOA neighborhoods, train it on a sturdy trellis, fence, or arbor and prune lightly after bloom; the structured form reads as intentional.

Ecoregion notes for Texas. In the Pineywoods (East Texas, acidic sandy loam, 40-60 inches of rain): Crossvine is right at home. Plant in part sun, give it 1 inch of water per week the first summer, then leave it alone. In Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairie (DFW, Austin, San Antonio corridor, heavy clay): amend the planting hole with decomposed granite or pine bark fines to prevent root rot, water deeply but infrequently, and mulch 3 inches with shredded hardwood. In the Edwards Plateau / Hill Country (alkaline limestone, thin soil): it survives but does not thrive. Pick a north or east exposure and plan to water through the summer, especially in the establishment year.

Crossvine pairs well with Turk's Cap and Coral Honeysuckle for a hummingbird-focused vertical garden. Avoid heavy fertilizer; native vines bloom less when overfed. The vine can climb 20-50 feet with mature support, so size your trellis accordingly. Verify you have Bignonia capreolata, not the unrelated trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), which spreads more aggressively.

Bee species data compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, Discover Life, and the USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab. Plant-pollinator associations informed by published ecological literature.