Clematis virginiana

Common Names

Virgin's Bower, Devil's Darning Needles, Old Man's Beard, Woodbine

Summary

Clematis virginiana, commonly called Virgin's Bower, is a native eastern North American woody vine that can reach 6–20 ft in height and climbs by twisting leaf stalks around supports. Leaves are opposite and usually trifoliate with toothed leaflets. Flowers are fragrant white, about 1 inch across, with four sepals, and appear in panicles from midsummer to fall. The plant is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, and female plants form plume-like seed heads. Habitats include moist woods, fencerows, riverbanks, and thickets; it tolerates full sun to part shade in moist soils. It attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and can be grown on trellises, fences, or allowed to scramble through shrubs.

Propagation can be by seeds, stem cuttings, or layering, and pruning after flowering or in late winter encourages new growth. It can spread aggressively through self-seeding and suckering, so containment may be needed. Overall, it provides wildlife habitat and is commonly used in woodland, native, and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

144-240 inches

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun or partial sun, thrives in full sun to partial shade, tolerates partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Moist, loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

5.0-6.8, slightly acidic soil

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Green; upper surfaces yellowish green to dark green with paler undersides, and may turn yellow to maroon in fall.

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow to maroon (various shades), yellowish green, green, or purplish

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing (vigorous)

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, other pollinators, and birds