Clematis ligusticifolia

Common Names

Virgin's Bower, Western White Clematis, Yerba De Chiva, Hierba De Chivo, Old-Man's Beard, White Clematis, Pepper Vine, Western Clematis

Summary

Western Virgin's Bower is a robust woody or semi-woody climber native to western North America that climbs by twining leaf stalks and can reach 3–30 ft tall, with opposite, pinnately compound leaves of 5–7 leaflets. It bears creamy-white, fragrant flowers in summer in showy clusters, followed by feathery, plume-like seed heads that persist into fall, and it naturally inhabits streams and moist woodlands, adding visual texture with abundant blossoms and seed plumes.

Cultivation notes: it prefers moist, well-drained soils and tolerates a broad range of textures and pH, from sun to partial shade, and can be drought-tolerant once established; requires strong support such as a trellis, fence, or large shrubs; propagation by seed, cuttings, or layering; pruning back to about 1 ft in late winter/early spring promotes vigor; deer browse may occur; all parts are poisonous; landscape uses include arbors, walls, fences, riparian plantings, and erosion control along streams.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-30 feet

Spread

20-66 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Partial Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White to cream

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green, Yellow to tan

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Divisions

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds