Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine)

Bignonia capreolata, commonly known as Crossvine, is a vigorous woody vine in the Bignoniaceae family, native to the central, southeastern, and south-central United States. It occurs naturally in alluvial forests, mixed and deciduous woodlands, thickets, and moist hammocks, climbing high into trees. The opposite leaves have two glossy leaflets, with the terminal leaflet replaced by a branched tendril bearing adhesive disks that allow the vine to cling to bark and other supports. Its common name refers to the distinctive cross-shaped pattern visible in a transverse section of the mature stem. Clusters of tubular to funnel-shaped flowers are typically orange-red with yellowish throats and attract hummingbirds. Older names include Anisostichus capreolata and Doxantha capreolata. Plants of the World Online

Crossvine can climb 30-50 feet and is evergreen to semi-evergreen in warm climates, while foliage may turn reddish-purple in colder winters. It flowers best in full sun but tolerates considerable shade and grows in average to moist, well-drained soils. It spreads by root suckers and can cover fences, arbors, and large supports rapidly. Reliable horticultural sources place it in USDA Zones 5-9, although stems may die to the ground during severe Zone 5 winters and regrow from hardy roots.