No matter in what state you reside, there is a native clematis that looks like it came straight out of the movie “Avatar.” Though I am talking three different species, they are fairly similar in bloom, showy seed and even the associated common name, virgin’s bower.
I don’t know a gardener around who saw the movie and did not instantly fall in love with the sci-fi-type plant material, particularly the ones that seemed to float in the air. These native clematises also look as though they are in flight.
In addition to virgin’s bower, you’ll also find regional names like old man’s beard, goat’s beard, woodbine and the not so glamorous devil’s darning needle. Strangely, at some point during their bloom cycles, you can see the reasoning behind each name.
Clematis virginiana is native in eastern states. Clematis drummondii is found from south Texas to Colorado in areas with dryer more alkaline soil, and the widespread Clematis ligusticifolia is found in western states.
These are all tough vines that deserve accolades not scowls. Do you have a trellis? It is your perfect vine. Need something to drape over a rustic split-rail fence? This is the one for you.
While everyone loves clematis, these natives have unfortunately taken a back seat to the big colorful imports, but these vines will be the ones attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Virgin’s bower can climb from 12 to 20 feet, offering pristine white blooms followed by the glistening “Avatar”-like seeds called achenes. Like many clematis, they have the ability to climb on their own without a lot of management on your part.
They are also perennials that are easy to get established and that you’ll have for years to come. They are deciduous — meaning they lose their leaves in the fall — but that is no problem.
Vines like the clematis are important in the landscape design process because they create a vertical element. Think about using them for the ultimate cottage garden.
Make sure you have your support structure in place when planting. Dig your planting hole two to three times as wide as the rootball but no deeper, planting at the same depth that they are growing in the container.
Add a good layer of mulch to conserve moisture. The virgin’s bower can be on the aggressive side by spreading so make thinning of volunteers or seedlings a regular part of your garden maintenance.
Natives play such an important role in the conservation and preservation of wildlife. Select the species of virgin’s bower native to your area and you’ll have a truly outstanding vine.
Norman Winter is executive director of The National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas, and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Contact him at winternaba.org.
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