Campsis × tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'
Overview
Uses: Arbors, pergolas, fences, walls, large trellises, hummingbird gardens.
Benefits: Large, showy salmon-red to orange trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in loose clusters throughout summer and into early fall, providing one of the most spectacular floral displays of any garden vine. Self-clinging by aerial rootlets, making it effective on masonry walls and sturdy structures. More restrained than the straight American trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) while retaining larger, more brilliantly colored blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Vine
Growth Habit: Climbing — self-clinging by aerial rootlets.
Bloom Color: Salmon to Orange
Foliage Color: Green, turning yellow in fall
Mature Height: 15–30 feet
Mature Width: 6–12 feet
Bloom Season: Summer through early fall
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Madame Galen Trumpet Vine delivers the kind of bold, tropical-looking flower display that transforms ordinary garden structures into showpieces. Large trumpet-shaped flowers in warm shades of salmon-red to orange with rich gold deep in the throat appear in loose, drooping clusters throughout summer and into early fall, creating a long-lasting spectacle that hummingbirds find irresistible.
A hybrid between the American trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) and the Chinese trumpet vine (Campsis grandiflora), Madame Galen inherits the hardiness and vigor of its American parent with the larger, more brilliantly colored blooms of its Chinese parent. The result is a vine that is more free-flowering and produces bigger flowers than the straight species, while being somewhat more restrained in its spreading habit.
The pinnate, glossy green foliage is lush and attractive through summer, with up to 15 small leaflets per leaf creating a fine-textured curtain of green. In fall, the foliage turns golden-yellow before dropping. Decorative bean-like seedpods follow the flowers and add winter interest on bare stems. This vine climbs by aerial rootlets and attaches firmly to masonry, wood, and other surfaces, making it ideal for walls, pergolas, and sturdy arbors that can support its considerable weight at maturity.
Care
Madame Galen Trumpet Vine Care
Plant in full sun for the heaviest flowering. Partial shade is tolerated but will reduce bloom production. Madame Galen grows in most soil types and actually performs best in lean, average soils. Rich, fertile soils promote excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowers. Well-drained conditions are preferred.
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, Madame Galen is drought tolerant and thrives in hot, dry sites. Avoid heavy fertilization for the same reason rich soils are discouraged — too much nutrition pushes foliage growth over flowering. A light application of slow release fertilizer in spring is sufficient only if growth seems genuinely slow.
Madame Galen blooms on new wood. Prune in late winter or early spring by cutting branches back to within three to four buds. This encourages compact growth and promotes flower bud formation. Remove overcrowded, damaged, or wayward stems at the same time. Provide a sturdy support structure — this vine becomes heavy at maturity and can damage weak trellises or fences. Avoid growing on wood siding, as the aerial rootlets can damage surfaces.
Size
What Size is the Madame Galen Trumpet Vine for Sale Online?
Our Madame Galen Trumpet Vine ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Madame Galen Trumpet Vine Grow?
Madame Galen can reach 15 to 30 feet depending on support and growing conditions. It is a fast-growing vine that fills in quickly, covering large structures within a few seasons.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Madame Galen Trumpet Vine and Trumpet Creeper. The hybrid was developed by the Tagliabue brothers, Italian nurserymen, and combines traits of the American and Chinese trumpet vine species.
Does Madame Galen attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Trumpet vines are among the top plants for attracting hummingbirds. The large, tubular flower shape and bright coloring are perfectly suited to hummingbird feeding, and established vines in full bloom will host visiting hummingbirds from sunrise to sunset throughout the summer. Browse our Flowering Vines & Climbing Plants collection for more hummingbird-friendly vine options.
Is Madame Galen as aggressive as regular trumpet vine?
Madame Galen is somewhat more restrained than the straight American trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) but is still a vigorous grower that suckers from underground runners. Give it ample room and a sturdy support. Annual pruning in late winter helps maintain a manageable size and promotes the best flowering.
Is Madame Galen Trumpet Vine deer resistant?
Yes. Trumpet vines are generally ignored by deer, making Madame Galen a dependable choice for landscapes with browsing pressure. Explore our deer-resistant plants collection for more options.
