What was the outhouse vine?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

March 5, 2004

Sponsored By: Spring Hill Nursery—>Click here.

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Suggested Reading – Trumpet Vine Collection, Honeysuckle & more—>Click here.

The trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans (L.) Seemann ex Bureau) is a vigorous, deciduous shrub/vine native to the southeastern U.S. The vine grows well on many soil types; its only preference—sunny, dry locations. It bears large showy panicles of orange-red funnelform (trumpet-shaped) flowers through the summer. Trumpet creeper was once a popular gardener-to-gardener hand me down vine.

The vine produces adventitious roots that allow it to climb and anchor itself. These rooted sections of vine sucker freely and trumpet creeper can form large, almost impenetrable colonies. The plant escaped cultivation and is now naturalized through
advertisement

Trumpet Vine, Madam Galen Campsis radicans Fast growing and easy to grow! Provides a nonstop display of trumpet-shaped flowers from midsummer to frost. Makes an effective screen or accent for walls and fence lines. Also makes an excellent ground cover. Can grow 20-30' if given sturdy support. Thrives in average, well-drained soil. Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! [More Vines...] [On Sale...]

the northern states and a few western states.

Left to its own devices, trumpet creeper rambles and climbs over any stationary object—old buildings, trees, and piles of debris. It is not a "how to grow" plant; it is a "how to restrain" plant. So why did so many gardeners pass the plant on to the next gardener? That goes back to pre-plumbing days and the necessary outbuilding for every home—the outdoor privy.

On farms, the privy was placed at the edge of the farmhouse yard. In small towns, the privy was placed at the back of the lot often next to the alley. Outhouses were situated where the soil was dry, away from tree roots, and as far from the house as possible. Certainly, the privy was no closer than fifty feet and, for convenience sake, no further than one hundred feet. But the necessary building was ever so embarrassing for 'ladies' and somewhat ungainly to hide in the landscape.

The outhouse vine (apparently a name used only in the vernacular) solved the problem. A gardener could chop off a branch with a few of the adventitious roots and hand it to a new privy owner. The cutting could be planted immediately; it would take off growing and hide the outhouse within a season.

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is an organization supporting research and education in agricultural and biological sciences and community services. The Foundation's Plant Image Gallery has a photograph of trumpet creeper showing the size and rambling habit of the vine. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/woodhtml/TrumpetVine.html

Walton Feed Company of Idaho has posted "The Outhouse", various recollections of life with outdoor privies. To read about the conveniences of the "good old days", click on the link:

http://waltonfeed.com/old/out.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Trumpet Vine Collection

Springhill Nursery®

Fast growing and easy to grow! Provides a nonstop display of trumpet-shaped flowers from midsummer to frost. Makes an effective screen or accent for walls and fence lines. Also makes an excellent groundcover. Can grow 20-30' if given sturdy support. Thrives in average, well-drained soil.

This collection includes one each of Madam Galen and Yellow Trumpet Vines. Campsis radicans Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! [More Vines...] [On Sale...]

Clematis Climbing Collection

Springhill Nursery®

To create privacy, highlight an architectural feature or hide an unsightly area, there is no finer choice than Climbing Clematis. Climb 10-20', spread 4-10' and produce 4-6" blooms summer through fall. For best results, plant Clematis in full sun with roots shaded.

This collection includes one each of the following varieties:

Jackmanii...rich, deep purple
Crimson Star...dark crimson red
Nelly Moser...mauve pink with red hint

Shipped in 3" pots. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 3 to 8 Click here for $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! [More Vines...] [On Sale...]

Bittersweet

Michigan Bulb®

A vigorous and carefree climber, Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) twines itself around anything in its path. Perfect for scrambling up poles, posts or trellises. Thrives in the poorest of soils. Attractive seed pods add winter interest, or use in dried flower arrangements! Click here for $20 off your first order of $50 or more at Michigan Bulb!

[More vines...] [Buy One - Get One Free Sale...]

Honeysuckle Vine

Michigan Bulb®

Enjoy the stunning good looks and sweet fragrance of this popular, carefree vine. It spreads quickly, covering trellises and walls with beautiful blooms. 12-18" plants. Potted. Zone 4 to 9 Click here for $20 off your first order of $50 or more at Michigan Bulb!

[More vines...] [Buy One - Get One Free Sale...]