If you want an eye-catcher in your garden, the trumpet tree is the best choice. But be careful: all parts of it are slightly poisonous.
The trumpet tree is one of the trumpet tree plants and can reach considerable dimensions and a growth height of up to 18 meters. While the trunk appears rather thick and shortened, the crown of the tree can appear all the more expansive. The heart-shaped leaves can reach a length of up to 20 centimeters. But the trees are particularly valued for their flowers and are used as ornamental trees in gardens and parks. The striking flowers resembling trumpets also gave the trees their name.
Common trumpet trees are also used as a crop in their homeland and are considered a popular bee pasture. For hobby gardeners, the smaller species are more of interest to us. These grow quite slowly and can also be eye-catchers on balconies and terraces.
Caution:
All parts of the trumpet tree are slightly poisonous. Mainly the active ingredient catalpin is predominant. This has only not been detected in the seeds. The leaves contain coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ursolic acid. Allergic reactions can also occur if you come into contact with the wood.
The Spread of the Trumpet Tree
The original home of the trumpet tree is in the USA. They can be found in the southeastern United States as well as in Florida. There the plant is a popular ornamental tree and can be found in parks and in many private gardens. The plant came to Europe in the 18th century and is now also deliberately cultivated in our latitudes. The golden trumpet tree and the ball trumpet tree in particular can be found in many gardens or on terraces and balconies. In the wild, the trumpet tree is native to dry soil and sunny locations.
When does the trumpet tree bloom?
The flowering period of the trumpet tree extends over the months of June and July. The round flower buds, which are about four millimeters long, can appear as early as May. The flower of the trumpet tree is striking, as the white and up to 15 centimeters long flowers are crossed by two yellow stripes andshow purple to golden spots.
What types of trumpet trees are there?
❍ Gold Trumpet Tree:
| Golden Trumpet Tree (Catalpa bignonioides 'Aurea') | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 20 - 30 cm a year |
| Growth: | 400 - 700 cm |
| Growth: | 300 - 500 cm |
| Root system: | Herzwurzler |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | moist and nutritious, otherwise very undemanding |
The golden trumpet tree came to our latitudes from its native USA in the 18th century. In contrast to the common trumpet tree, these popular ornamental plants only grow four to six meters in height. After sprouting, the golden trumpet tree has golden yellow leaves that give off a scent that can be heard in the evening hours and is said to protect against mosquitoes.
The small trees sprout very late and often appear bare at the beginning of May. The golden trumpet tree thrives particularly well in a warm and sunny location. Young plants appear less robust and need growth support and winter protection.
❍ Ball Trumpet Tree:
| Ball Trumpet Tree (Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana') | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 5 - 10 cm a year |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| Root system: | Herzwurzler |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | normal garden soil, permeable and rich in nutrients |
Globe trumpet trees are the small and compact-looking alternative to the fast-growing giant trees from the plant family. The particularly popular variety "Nana" is only about four meters high. The spherical, dense crown that extends up to 3 meters is an excellent source of shade.
Globe trumpet trees grow about 20 centimeters each year. You should keep this in mind when planting. Even this small species needs enough space! After grafting the Common Trumpet Tree, the half-stem will stop growing. Only the spherical crown develops stately and compact over time.
The trumpet-shaped, white flowers appear on panicles up to 15 centimeters long and are pure white. The fruits, reminiscent of cigars, grow up to 30 centimeters long and fall in winternot off. The leaves, on the other hand, are shed in autumn. There is no leaf coloring.
Plant trumpet tree - all information at a glance
Trumpet trees in their small species have a place in every garden. The ball trumpet tree in particular has long been at home in our latitudes. Since the plants grow particularly slowly, they can also be cultivated very well in the bucket for the first few years. However, the tree makes some demands on its location and needs a lot of water.
❍ Location:
A sunny location is gratefully accepted by the plants. Trumpet trees also thrive in semi-shade. But then you have to make compromises in the willingness to grow and bloom. You should also choose a location that is sheltered from the wind so that the branches do not buckle. A sheltered location is also beneficial for overwintering the plant. There should also be no lack of space at the location of the plant, because even smaller species can grow up to six meters tall.
Tip: Planted in groups, trumpet trees can provide natural shade.
❍ Bottom:
The plant is not undemanding when it comes to the choice of substrate. The soil should be fresh and nutrient-rich. A sand and loam mixture with a pH value between 7 and 8 is ideal. You can increase the nutrient content of the soil by adding compost at planting time. You also need to keep the soil evenly moist.
❍ Planting:
If you want to plant a trumpet tree in your garden, then early spring is the perfect time to do so. The best way to plant is as follows:
❶ Soak the root ball with water before planting.
❷ Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.
❸ Plant the plant without blocking the roots damage.
❹ Place a wooden stake in the planting hole as a support and tie the tree to it.
❺ Finally close the planting hole and water the plant sufficiently.
How to water trumpet trees correctly
The trumpet tree has adapted very well to our climatic conditions and is a fairly uncomplicated plant. If you want to enjoy your trumpet tree for a long time, you should water it diligently, because the plant needs even moisture. However, you should not overdo it, because the plant takes it seriously against waterlogging and the roots quickly begin to rot. Potted plants have a higher water requirement. Teach thatAlways take coasters off to prevent waterlogging.
Watering in the morning and evening hours makes sense on hot days. Avoid watering during the hot midday hours.
How to properly fertilize trumpet trees
So that the plant grows well, you can apply slow-release fertilizer after planting. If you mix compost under the substrate in spring, the plant is usually sufficiently supplied with nutrients. Potted plants should be supplied with a commercially available complete fertilizer about every two weeks during the growth period, which you add to the irrigation water.
Tip: If the leaves lose their rich green colour, the plant is lacking nutrients and should be fertilized as soon as possible.
Can trumpet trees be pruned?
The trumpet tree can grow up to 18 meters in height. A pruning is still possible without any problems. After the winter you can, for example, cut out old and brittle branches. Another cut is possible at the end of the growth phase, i.e. in early autumn. You should only cut back radically on sunny and dry days. Then the wound closure is accelerated. When pruning, you should always pay attention to the natural direction of growth of the trumpet tree. If you cut back on asymmetrical leaves, you can achieve early flowering.
The ball trumpet tree, which is often found in gardens, is a graft of the common trumpet tree. The half trunk forms the basis for the refinement. You should shape the spherical trees every year in spring. Older plants only need to be pruned out in autumn so that the branches don't become bare.
How to propagate trumpet trees?
The plant can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. Those are the two easiest ways. The following explains in detail how to proceed with both methods.
❍ Propagation by seeds:
The seeds are sown outdoors in spring on the spot. Patience is required here because, as already mentioned, the plant drives out very late. Young plants need plenty of water, support and winter protection.
You can also grow new plants indoors from the seeds. To do this, you should let the seeds soak in water for a while and then plant them in moist potting soil. Then cover the seeds with about five millimeters of soil and water generously. After about 1.5 months, the first shoots should appear. A cover made of foil, plastic or glassaccelerates the germination time. When repotting the seedlings, be careful not to damage the tender roots.
❍ Propagation by offshoots:
Offshoots often form on older plants. These arise from branches that reach down to the ground and have developed roots there. You can remove the offshoots from the ground and put them back into the ground elsewhere.
Overwintering trumpet trees correctly - Here's how it's done
Over time, the trumpet tree has adapted very well to our climatic conditions and can almost be classified as hardy. However, young plants still need a little help to get through the cold season well. You can wrap the crown of the tree with foil or garden fleece, for example. Since the tree bark can tear open on cold and dry winter days, you should prevent this and help with a coat of lime. If the trunk is painted white, it is spared this frost damage.
You should bring potted plants indoors, as potted plants are more susceptible to frost damage. It is best to move them to a cool and bright room.
By the way: Up to the age of five years we speak of young plants that need winter protection.
Recognize and combat diseases and pests on the trumpet tree
The plant appears generally quite robust, but this does not completely protect the trumpet tree from pests and diseases. You may encounter the following pests and diseases:
❍ Mildew:
If the plant is too damp, there is a high risk of powdery mildew infestation. The disease is easily recognizable by a mealy coating on the leaves. You can easily wipe this off at first. Later the leaves curl up, wither and fall off. Milk or whey diluted in water is a very effective home remedy. Simply spray the plant with the solution several times a week.
❍ Verticillium Wilt:
This fungus has proven to be particularly aggressive and any help usually comes too late for the plant. The disease is often recognized too late and changes to the leaves are attributed to care errors. The fungus can be recognized by yellow leaves that curl and eventually fall off. It cuts off the supply of nutrients, which means that the plant can no longer transport water and dies.
To prevent infestation, you should always choose fresh, nutrient-rich soil when planting and water and fertilize regularly but moderately. Will heTrumpet tree still affected, you should cut it back radically. However, do not dispose of the affected parts of the plant in the compost, otherwise the disease will spread. You must also disinfect any garden tools you use.
❍ Burn Crust Fungus:
This fungus is also particularly insidious because it attacks the roots and cannot be identified visually at first. The smut fungus can be recognized as it progresses by the strikingly light-colored fruiting bodies, which gradually rot. Here, too, you can only prevent them by choosing the right location and caring for them appropriately. There are currently no effective antidotes, which is why the trumpet tree will unfortunately die off.
❍ Aphids:
Aphids are tampering with the leaves of the trumpet tree. They are easy to recognize and can be collected from the plant. It is best to do this early in the morning. You can also use soapy water, garlic broth (instructions to make garlic broth yourself) or nettle manure (instructions to make nettle manure yourself) in an environmentally friendly way to effectively combat the pests.
❍ Spider mites:
The procedure against spider mites is proving to be less effective. These can permanently weaken the plants and can often only be driven away with chemical pesticides.
❍ Snails:
The trumpet tree is also infested by snails. Young plants in particular are affected. The snails climb the trunks and eat the leaves. You can easily collect the snails by hand. Instead of applying the aggressive slug pellets, you can also put a ring of pine twigs, gravel, coffee grounds or cat litter around the trunk, as these are an obstacle for the slugs. Here are some more tips against snails in the garden.
Top Trumpet Tree Care Tips Summary
- lots of sun
- lots of space
- protected location
- Nutrient-rich and moist soil
- pour enough
- Roots must not dry out
- Avoid waterlogging
- support young plants and protect them from frost