Trumpet Vine Containment

Question

I have a very old trumpet vine that is in 2 large pots on my patio. This past spring, I had a planter built around the pots and filled it with dirt and annuals. Trumpet vine has escaped the pot (maybe through a drain hole in the bottom or cracked pot??) and is popping up in the planter. I read your article about using boiling water. I don’t want to kill the vine (it is VERY old and on a trellis – trunk at least 2″ thick). If I use boiling water on the pop-ups will that kill the vine or just the offshoot?

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Answer 1

Boiling water kills whatever it touches so I wouldn't use it in a bed that full. It probably wouldn't kill the offshoot. Boiling water works better on annuals than perennials. Can you dig out the suckers? They are still attached to the main vine unless the new growth is from dropped seed. You will have to be persistent. Or just cut off the new growth whenever you see it. Here is more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/trumpet-vine/trumpet-vines-in-containers.htm