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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s-bower)

Clematis virginiana flower buds
Clematis virginiana flowers
Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s-bower) in a residential landscape in August.
Native Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s-bower) en masse in a residential landscape in September.
Clematis virginiana with Alianthus webworm moth.
These mating thread-waisted wasps, Eremnophila aureonotata, will appear in a new fact sheet to be posted August 30, 2019 as well as in an accompanying video. Photo © Mary Free.
Twining petioles of native Clematis virginiana

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Clematis virginiana Tried and True Native Plant Selections Virgin’s-bower for the Mid-Atlantic In eastern North American* lowlands, this vigorous native vine quickly climbs by twining or trails along the ground in twisted fashion. A prolific bloomer, its white flowers attract pollinators late summer into fall followed by showy seed heads reminiscent of an “old man’s beard,” another of its common names. Vine Flowers en Masse, Leaves, Pollinators** Height: 6–20 feet Spread: 3–12 feet Bloom Color: White Characteristics Climbing, woody, deciduous to semi-evergreen vine Predominantly dioecious: each plant with either staminate (male) or pistillate (female) flowers Opposite, mostly trifoliate, toothed, bright green leaves; climbs by twining leaf petioles Axillary panicles of fragrant, ~1-inch white flowers with four petaloid sepals from July to September Achenes (not on male vines) w/ persistent, plumose, green styles that become brownish; winter interest Unremarkable yellow-green to purplish fall foliage Spreads rapidly by self-seeding and root suckers Attributes Tolerates full sun, shade, black walnut; no serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage Plant parts are poisonous; leaves may irritate skin Attracts bees, wasps, butterflies, moths and birds; larval host to ~10 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Partial Shade Excellent Replacement for Akebia quinata - Chocolate Vine Celastrus orbiculatus - Oriental Bittersweet Water Requirements: Dry, Moist, Wet Clematis terniflora - Sweet Autumn Clematis*** Prune after flowering late fall to early spring; leave lowest 2–3 buds; may prune down to 1 foot Lonicera japonica - Japanese Honeysuckle Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 *It is native to DC, common in DE, and present throughout MD and PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains, frequent in the Piedmont, and infrequent in the Coastal Plain. **Pollinators on male flowers include four-toothed mason wasp, ailanthus webworm moth and European honey bee, and eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (dark form female). ***Unlike C. virginiana, this invasive has smooth leaf margins. Use as a climber on arbors, walls, and fences, in woodland gardens, or as a tangled ground cover developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free and Elaine Mills (leaves), private garden, Arlington, Virginia

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid -Atlantic

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Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s-bower)

In eastern North American* lowlands, this vigorous native vine quickly climbs by twining or trails along the ground in twisted fashion. A prolific bloomer, its white flowers attract pollinators late summer into fall followed by showy seed heads reminiscent of an “old man’s beard,” another of its common names.

*It is native to DC, common in DE, and present throughout MD and PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains, frequent in the Piedmont, and infrequent in the Coastal Plain. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Video © Mary Free
Although small in size, the flowers of Clematis virginiana are large in number and attract a variety of pollinators – bees, wasps, butterflies and moths. They also seem to be a good hunting ground for mates as evidenced in this video by the activities of Eremnophila aureonotata. If you observe a rather large insect flying around in summer near abundant wildflower clusters – Pycnanthemum, Daucus carota, Rudbeckia, Clematis virginiana, Eupatorium, Solidago – look closely, because it may actually be a pair of these thread-waisted wasps flying together – the male on top just hitching a ride or busy mating.