Perch Supply
North Carolina · Vine

Trumpet creeper for birds in North Carolina

Large orange trumpets through midsummer. Native to North Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Campsis radicans
Native status
Native in North Carolina
Hardiness zones
USDA 5b–8b
What birds get from it
nectar
North Carolina birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in North Carolina

Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.

Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.

North Carolina birds that use Trumpet creeper

Nesting season it supports in North Carolina

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Trumpet creeper:

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird — April–August
  • Baltimore Oriole — May–July
  • Orchard Oriole — May–June

Native plants to pair with Trumpet creeper in North Carolina

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Long nectar season.

Cardinal flower
Lobelia cardinalis · Perennial

Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Coral bean
Erythrina herbacea · Shrub

Red tubular spring flowers for early hummingbirds.

Red buckeye
Aesculus pavia · Shrub

Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

The state flower and a top fall fruit source.

Frequently asked

Is Trumpet creeper native to North Carolina?

Yes. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is recorded as native in North Carolina. North Carolina spans USDA 5b–8b.

What birds does Trumpet creeper attract in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, Trumpet creeper supports 3 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole.

Does Trumpet creeper help nesting birds in North Carolina?

3 of those birds nest in North Carolina: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–August), Baltimore Oriole (May–July), Orchard Oriole (May–June).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — North Carolina
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.