Clematis virginiana, Virgin's Bower, Quart pot
Clematis virginiana, Virgin's Bower
FS - PS, Zone 3, Blooms July-Sept., 10-12’ x 3-4’, Medium wet to medium
This native clematis likes a woodland stting with rich humus and prefers moist conditions and is one of a few vines that will bloom in shadier conditions. It grows and establishes faster than ornamental clematis from Asia. The female flowers produce the seeds, We have it planted in a mostly sunny area where it has thrived in front of the bee sanctuary. We also planted Virgins Bower in a partial shade spot on a swing arbor. It bloomed in year two. The blooms are off-white and small, 1” across.
The vine needs support to grow upwards via clinging stalks. If left on the ground it will happlly travel until it finds something to grow on. So be sure to lend it a proper support. You can prune this vine at any time during the season, spring or fall down to 8 - 10”, leaving at least two leaf buds. We got busy in 2024 and neglected the plant until mid summer. It was having fun growing in several directions except upwards. We had to sacrifice quite a bit as the vine tendrils are fragile but it recovered nicely. Lesson learned for 2025!
These flowers are visited by Halictid bees, wasps, and flies. Virgin's Bower is toxic to mammals, however, the foliage is often used as nesting habitat for many songbirds. Hummingbirds are also drawn to the nectar. Host plant for the Clematis Clearwing Moth
For those that may have planted the Asian version - Sweet Autum, read on! The following is from Prairie Moon Nursery.
“Virgin's Bower can be confused with Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora or Clematis paniculata,) an aggressive Asian vine with sweet-smelling flowers that has escaped from cultivation. The fragrance and the leaves sets the two vines apart: Virgin's Bower leaves are jagged on the edges whereas Sweet Autumn Clematis has rounded leaves. It has also been nicknamed "Prairie Smoke on a Rope" for its similar looking seedhead to the famous prairie plant Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke.) It also may be referred to as Devil's Darning Needles.”
Clematis virginiana, Virgin's Bower
FS - PS, Zone 3, Blooms July-Sept., 10-12’ x 3-4’, Medium wet to medium
This native clematis likes a woodland stting with rich humus and prefers moist conditions and is one of a few vines that will bloom in shadier conditions. It grows and establishes faster than ornamental clematis from Asia. The female flowers produce the seeds, We have it planted in a mostly sunny area where it has thrived in front of the bee sanctuary. We also planted Virgins Bower in a partial shade spot on a swing arbor. It bloomed in year two. The blooms are off-white and small, 1” across.
The vine needs support to grow upwards via clinging stalks. If left on the ground it will happlly travel until it finds something to grow on. So be sure to lend it a proper support. You can prune this vine at any time during the season, spring or fall down to 8 - 10”, leaving at least two leaf buds. We got busy in 2024 and neglected the plant until mid summer. It was having fun growing in several directions except upwards. We had to sacrifice quite a bit as the vine tendrils are fragile but it recovered nicely. Lesson learned for 2025!
These flowers are visited by Halictid bees, wasps, and flies. Virgin's Bower is toxic to mammals, however, the foliage is often used as nesting habitat for many songbirds. Hummingbirds are also drawn to the nectar. Host plant for the Clematis Clearwing Moth
For those that may have planted the Asian version - Sweet Autum, read on! The following is from Prairie Moon Nursery.
“Virgin's Bower can be confused with Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora or Clematis paniculata,) an aggressive Asian vine with sweet-smelling flowers that has escaped from cultivation. The fragrance and the leaves sets the two vines apart: Virgin's Bower leaves are jagged on the edges whereas Sweet Autumn Clematis has rounded leaves. It has also been nicknamed "Prairie Smoke on a Rope" for its similar looking seedhead to the famous prairie plant Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke.) It also may be referred to as Devil's Darning Needles.”
Clematis virginiana, Virgin's Bower
FS - PS, Zone 3, Blooms July-Sept., 10-12’ x 3-4’, Medium wet to medium
This native clematis likes a woodland stting with rich humus and prefers moist conditions and is one of a few vines that will bloom in shadier conditions. It grows and establishes faster than ornamental clematis from Asia. The female flowers produce the seeds, We have it planted in a mostly sunny area where it has thrived in front of the bee sanctuary. We also planted Virgins Bower in a partial shade spot on a swing arbor. It bloomed in year two. The blooms are off-white and small, 1” across.
The vine needs support to grow upwards via clinging stalks. If left on the ground it will happlly travel until it finds something to grow on. So be sure to lend it a proper support. You can prune this vine at any time during the season, spring or fall down to 8 - 10”, leaving at least two leaf buds. We got busy in 2024 and neglected the plant until mid summer. It was having fun growing in several directions except upwards. We had to sacrifice quite a bit as the vine tendrils are fragile but it recovered nicely. Lesson learned for 2025!
These flowers are visited by Halictid bees, wasps, and flies. Virgin's Bower is toxic to mammals, however, the foliage is often used as nesting habitat for many songbirds. Hummingbirds are also drawn to the nectar. Host plant for the Clematis Clearwing Moth
For those that may have planted the Asian version - Sweet Autum, read on! The following is from Prairie Moon Nursery.
“Virgin's Bower can be confused with Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora or Clematis paniculata,) an aggressive Asian vine with sweet-smelling flowers that has escaped from cultivation. The fragrance and the leaves sets the two vines apart: Virgin's Bower leaves are jagged on the edges whereas Sweet Autumn Clematis has rounded leaves. It has also been nicknamed "Prairie Smoke on a Rope" for its similar looking seedhead to the famous prairie plant Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke.) It also may be referred to as Devil's Darning Needles.”