Just when the fulsomeness of the late summer garden is looking out of control, and over it. Just when a white film of mildew starts to appear on perennial foliage, and dead-heading is not producing many more flowers, you sigh and in a moment of sadness realise that another summer is coming to an end.
But not quite yet, as there is one plant which is bursting into life in late summer in my garden with a great splash of pinkish-orange exuberance. It is Campsis grandiflora, often called the Chinese Trumpet Vine, and part of the Bignoniaceae family. You could be forgiven for mistaking it for Wisteria, as it is deciduous with the same masses of lush green pinnate leaves winding and twining everywhere. On the other hand the delicacy of spring flowering mauve or white Wisteria flowers are nothing like this late summer flourish with its great robust orange trumpets borne in loose panicles dripping down from my pergola as well as making it's way over the wall of my neighbours house. Amazingly they don't mind because they think it is pretty, but I've got a feeling it may eventually outstay it's welcome there, and it's days could be numbered. This vine likes to romp over sunny fences and pergolas, but I planted mine in shade to brighten up a south facing pergola. It sat quietly for several years doing nothing, but now 7 years later it is exactly as I visualised when I planted it! Maybe good things do come to those who wait.
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