I have a beautiful Clematis virginiana growing near the gate on the fence that surrounds my pool. It is called Virgin’s Bower and sometimes Devil’s Darning Needles or Woodbine. This particular plant came from Door Landscape and Nursery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Owner Cliff Orsted “grew it from seed collected from vines growing over shrubs and into the lower branches of trees in a moderately-canopied deciduous woods very close to the shores of Lake Michigan about 10 miles south of the ship canal.” It’s a pollinator magnet.
“The vines were 25-30 feet in length. Its habit was very open and airy. I suspect this was because of the moderate light conditions under the deciduous canopy.”
Cliff went on to write that “we have observed variations in flower form and foliage morphology in the plants we have grown from seed. Variations include:
– Smooth to moderately serrated leaf margins.
– Four-petaled flowers, plus occasional five petaled flowers.”
I can add that the plant doesn’t seem to be very picky about its location, except for the sun. My specimen grows in a sunny location except early morning/late afternoon. Where it gets no sun, it doesn’t flower. But it is growing in very limited soil between the driveway and the concrete slabs that form the deck of my pool.
And it is a pollinator magnet. While in bloom, it is buzzing constantly throughout the day with more insects than I can count. I’ve seen bumble bees, mud dauber wasps, blue mud wasps, leaf cutters and many halictid bees. All have been friendly as I’ve walked back and forth from the pool area many times during the day. Consider trying this vine to enhance your habitat for pollinators — you’ll be delightfully surprised.
Mine is in the front yard bed side my front door. It loves it there with AM sun and PM shade. You are right about the bees.
I also added one under my Sliver Maple in the back yard from a WO Plant Dig up in Appleton. We will have to see how it does, but it is still alive!
Let me know how it works under that Silver Maple, Roger. Maples have such a dense canopy.
Virgin’s Bower and all other natives allow us to have a healthy environment. We can enjoy native bees, butterflies, moths (yes, there are some beauties out there), hummingbirds, etc. And, most importantly, we can pass these treasures to our grandchildren and their grandchildren. Grow natives!
I do so agree with you, Richard.
Do they also attract honey bees apis mellifera? Are there other climbing, flowering plants that attract honey bees?
I am a backyard beekeeper and need a flowering climbing plant for a trellis to hide my unsightly gardening stuff, composter, etc.
Thanks for asking, Christina. There are other native vines you might try: American Bittersweet (Celastrusi scandens), Carrion Flower (Smilax herbacca), Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) for example. I do not know if the honeybee will seek nectar from them, however.
Although I was able to find reference to a variety of bees which use the nectar of the Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana), I was not able to find a reference specifically to honey bees. Why not give it a try and see what happens. I know you won’t be disappointed by all the insect activity you see on the plant. It is astonishing!
These are all invasive in the U.S. and all are being managed by Conservation Districts due to the on-going damage to our wooded areas. Please do not plant.
* except for Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana), which is native.
In regards to DJ’s comment–I believe you’re confusing the natives Donna suggests with other plants. All mentioned are native to the Eastern US. American bittersweet, unlike Asiatic bittersweet, is native and under threat from the latter because of hybridization.
Thanks for the post about Virgin’s Bower. I’m considering planting some!
does this vine have to be cut down every year like autumn clematis?
No, Martha, but this vine must keep in the bounds we have set. It is a good thing if you keep in my check. It tends to “wonder off,” if you know what I mean. I snip my end when they overreach the bounds.
American bittersweet is listed as an invasive species. I have at least one if not two native vines on my farm and they are not so bad. But trumpet vine, that is a true invader and will probably need an eco-killer to rid me of that. It is beautiful, but so is an exploding vocano.
Where do you live, Bobby? In the fence by my pool, there is male plant. But in our prairie is female woodbine (Virgin’s Bower) vine which is kinda getting out of hand. I keep it pulled continuously and I have not done any eco-killer yet — Donna
In the New River Gorge in West Virginia. As for controlling plants you don’t want in certain places, I use a propane torch and scorch the leaves. Do that 2 or 3 times and the plant will give up and die. No poisonous residues to worry about, especially with pets.
I have been to New River Gorge, Bob. Nice country — Donna
American bittersweet is native to North America.
Bobby, Asiatic bittersweet is the invasive, but American bittersweet is native to Eastern/Central US.