When does a trumpet vine bloom?

That's what I typed into google today; last entry I did mentioning my trumpet vine, two readers commented that they'd had healthy trumpet vines for quite awhile, and they had yet to see them bloom.  
I found my answer HERE.  I also learned some other things.  
A: It can take up to five years for a trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) to burst into bloom. It flowers on the new season's wood, but before it matures enough to bloom, it's best not to cut it back too severely in winter. Fertilize it lightly or not at all, for fertilizer tends to promote luxuriant foliage over flower. Be patient with your vine and don't pamper it; it does best in lean conditions. The gorgeous flowers will be worth the wait, for you and the hummingbirds. Remember when you handle this vine that all parts are poisonous. 

Poisonous?  And my cow has been eating it?  ACK!!!  

A little more research, though, gave me this information: The trumpet vine sports the unattractive nickname, "cow-itch vine." Some individuals who come in contact with the vine may experience redness, itching and burning on their skin. As a precaution, gloves are recommended when handling the vine.  

Oh, that kind of poison.  I can live with that.


I am adding this note a year later because Google is bringing a lot of people to this entry that wonder when their trumpet vine will bloom.  I can now tell you that mine started blooming this year, 2011, three years after setting it out.

I bought some things to plant today

Yes, I bought three pounds of seed potatoes (Kennebec), some onion sets, and a couple of perennial flowers to set out.

The lady checking me out at Orscheln's looked askance at one plant I bought, the one labeled "Hummingbird Vine".

"Hmph," she snorted. "That's just a trumpet vine. It will spread everywhere."

I wondered if I should just tell her to keep it, but I responded, "So you're telling me to be very careful where I plant it?"

"I'd say so," she snorted.

Obviously this woman has had some serious problems with the plant.

My regular readers know all about my intimate relationship with Google.

The lady was right, as you can see HERE. I guess I'll not plant it near the house amongst all my other flowery plants.

I hope I remember to thank that woman next time I'm in Richmond.