woodland vine

Cross vine

Bignonia capreolata

Native to the Southeast and the Midwest

Florida to eastern Texas, north to Maryland, West Virginia, and the Ohio River valley, Zones 6 to 9

Light Full sun to part shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry to moist Moisture preference
Zones 6–10 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
Height 36–50 ft 11.0–15.2 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

In the garden

A woodland vine for full sun to part shade and dry to moist soil. Its red and yellow flowers peak in April. At 36–50 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–10.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Cross vine's red and yellow flowers bloom March to May, peaking in April. This spring display draws bees.

Cross vine blooms red & yellowFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Eastern Carpenter Bee also Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee, Blueberry Digger Bee

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Southeast and the MidwestUnited States (19): AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Florida to eastern Texas, north to Maryland, West Virginia, and the Ohio River valley, Zones 6 to 9The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to part shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: Dry to moistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 6–10The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic or calcareous soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, ClayThe soils it grows in naturally.
Water use: Low to mediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Growth & form

Height: 36–50 ft (11.0–15.2 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: VineWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Red, YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: ripens Mar–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.