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Native Plant Society of Texas

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

Other common name(s):

Family:

Bignoniaceae (Trumpet Creeper Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

60
to
70
ft.

Spread

2
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Butterflies, Deer, Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Can be pruned to direct and control growth if needed. Tolerates shade, but produces more flowers in the sun. Can withstand brief flooding, but in general needs well-drained soil. Propagation: root cutting, softwood cutting, seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. A woody vine, climbs using tendrils with adhesive pads that will stick to surfaces. Narrow, compound leaves change from dark green in summer to reddish-purple in winter. Trumpet shaped flowers show a variety of combinations of red and yellow. The fruit is a brown, flat, pod-like capsule.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Anisostichus capreolata, Anisostichus crucigera

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BICA. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Bignonia+capreolata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=4965&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 6) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 357. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=34307#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow the seeds in containers or directly into the ground in the fall (before the ground freezes) or in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. The seeds do not require extra stratification or special handling (but you should refrigerate them if you don’t plan to plant them right away). Press your seeds 1 to 2 inches into the soil and keep the soil evenly moist as the seeds germinate (typically about 3 to 4 weeks). Collect the large, woody capsules from late summer through fall when they are light brown and beginning to dry. Seeds remain viable one year in sealed, refrigerated containers. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BICA 2) https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/crossvine-a-showstopping-native-vine/#:~:text=Crossvine%20may%20be%20grown%20from,within%20six%20to%20eight%20weeks. 3) https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/vine/cross-vine/#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Crossvine%20Via,as%20it%20develops%20new%20roots.
Softwood Cutting Leave several leaves on the tip of the stem but remove the leaves from the bottom two inches of the stem. Treat the cut end of the stem with rooting hormone to encourage root development. Insert the cut end about 2 inches deep into a moist growing medium. Mist the cutting frequently or slip a plastic bag over the potted cutting to keep it from drying out before it can develop roots. The cutting should take root within six to eight weeks. Cut off a healthy, 6- to 8-inch long growing stem (current season’s growth) in spring or early summer. 1) https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/crossvine-a-showstopping-native-vine/#:~:text=Crossvine%20may%20be%20grown%20from,within%20six%20to%20eight%20weeks. 2) https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/vine/cross-vine/#:~:text=How%20to%20Propagate%20Crossvine%20Via,as%20it%20develops%20new%20roots.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason