Description

VIRGIN'S BOWER CLEMATIS (Clematis virginiana) also known as Devil's Darning Needles and Autumn Clematis, is a deliciously fragrant member of the buttercup family (Ranunculacae) and an heirloom that grows on stream banks and at the edge of woods. The vine will climb 10-20 feet and heavily produces white, very fragrant 1" flowers from July to October, at a time when most fragrance has long gone from the garden. It is attractive to bees and butterflies. Once established, it appears like a cloud on whatever you let it scramble upon, so give it a nice foundation shrub, fence, arbor or even a tree and let it go! An important note: Wear gloves when handling any part of this plant, including seeds, as it can irritate the skin, though the irritation is minor and lasts only a few minutes. Do not ingest any part of this plant. Hardy perennial. 25 seeds.

NATIVE HISTORY:   Do not ingest any part of this plant. The Iroquois used as an hallucinogen by making an extract of the stems and using it as a wash and to treat venereal disease sores. The Cherokee used an infusion mixed with milkweed for backache and as an ingredient in ceremonial green corn medicine. An infusion of the root was taken for digestive problems and nerves. Both Cherokee and Iroquois used a root infusion for kidney disease.

GROWING TIPS: Prefers a position in full sun to partial shade but with a cool shaded and mulched root zone and with something for it to scramble up on it will amaze you. But it is just as happy covering your azaleas (don't worry - it won't choke them out and it doesn't even come on until late summer). Direct sow outdoors in fall or stratify indoors if sowing in spring. Germination can be erratic even in the best of conditions, so I recommend you stratify and sow indoors to monitor.It can take a few seasons to really get established outside, but once established, prune hard in the early spring. Seed is easily gathered after flowers fade.