Native Pipevine Aristolochia macrophylla/durior - Page 2 - Wildlife Gardeners

Teresa · 05-31-2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks for the pictures--that's very helpful.

It seems like the Aristolochia is more twining than my Lonicera, but does not have the little clinging tendrils that Bignonia has.

It will definitely need some twine if I want it to 'climb' up a stockade type fence.

My Lonicera sempervirens puts out new green growth that is flexible and which I weave through the wire fencing. It becomes less flexible and more 'woody' in a short period of time--if I waited too long to try to weave it, it would break instead of bending.
Not so, the Bignonia capreolata. It puts out little curly tendrils along it's main vine or stem. I tie the lower part of the vine to the trees (cedar and mulberry so far) to support it and then as it grows, it holds on with those little tendrils--very cute! Both my Bignonia were planted last year, so they are in the 'creeping' stage, but one has shot up really well, maybe 10 feet and has begun blooming, while the other, which is more shaded is only about 2 feet high so far.

I'll have to give some more thought to a good location for the Aristolochia. . .

TheLorax · 06-01-2009, 11:23 AM

Thanks for all the vine comments everyone.

Uthere · 06-01-2009, 01:00 PM

I grow pipevine although I do not yet have any pipevine swallowtails. Mine is in the shade on a metal arch. I like the large leaves and the fact that it thrives in the shade. I had to start mine up the arch with some carefully placed twigs. Once it started twining around the twigs, it went quite happily upward.

I am tempted to get some pipevine swallowtail eggs from a friend who has the butterflies and pipevine in her garden but my plant is only 1 year old and I have heard that the pipevine swallowtail caterpillars need a lot of foliage. I will probably wait a year more to see if the butterflies find it on their own.

A link to Aristolochia information: Pipevine Aristolochia

Dirty Knees · 06-03-2009, 05:37 PM

The caterpillars grow fast. They don't eat as much as you think they would eat. Maybe you should try some of her eggs or buy a kit. I don't know how you could protect them from being eaten by birds outside on your vine.

TheLorax · 06-03-2009, 11:57 PM

Your picture with all the butterflies sold me Uthere. We ordered an Aristolochia. I'm really excited about getting this plant. I can't wait. Happy Dance.

06-01-2009, 11:23 AM	#12
TheLorax Unicellular Fungi Join Date: Nov 2008	Thanks for all the vine comments everyone. __________________ "In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum, Senegalese ecologist

06-01-2009, 01:00 PM	#13
Uthere Carbon Join Date: Apr 2009	Aristolochia macrophylla I grow pipevine although I do not yet have any pipevine swallowtails. Mine is in the shade on a metal arch. I like the large leaves and the fact that it thrives in the shade. I had to start mine up the arch with some carefully placed twigs. Once it started twining around the twigs, it went quite happily upward. I am tempted to get some pipevine swallowtail eggs from a friend who has the butterflies and pipevine in her garden but my plant is only 1 year old and I have heard that the pipevine swallowtail caterpillars need a lot of foliage. I will probably wait a year more to see if the butterflies find it on their own. A link to Aristolochia information: Pipevine Aristolochia

06-03-2009, 05:37 PM	#14
Dirty Knees Salamander Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Milwaukee	The caterpillars grow fast. They don't eat as much as you think they would eat. Maybe you should try some of her eggs or buy a kit. I don't know how you could protect them from being eaten by birds outside on your vine. __________________ It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed. ~ Napoleon Hill

06-03-2009, 11:57 PM	#15
TheLorax Unicellular Fungi Join Date: Nov 2008	Your picture with all the butterflies sold me Uthere. We ordered an Aristolochia. I'm really excited about getting this plant. I can't wait. Happy Dance. __________________ "In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum, Senegalese ecologist

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05-31-2009, 10:19 AM	#11
Teresa Salamander Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Annapolis, MD	Thanks for the pictures--that's very helpful. It seems like the Aristolochia is more twining than my Lonicera, but does not have the little clinging tendrils that Bignonia has. It will definitely need some twine if I want it to 'climb' up a stockade type fence. My Lonicera sempervirens puts out new green growth that is flexible and which I weave through the wire fencing. It becomes less flexible and more 'woody' in a short period of time--if I waited too long to try to weave it, it would break instead of bending. Not so, the Bignonia capreolata. It puts out little curly tendrils along it's main vine or stem. I tie the lower part of the vine to the trees (cedar and mulberry so far) to support it and then as it grows, it holds on with those little tendrils--very cute! Both my Bignonia were planted last year, so they are in the 'creeping' stage, but one has shot up really well, maybe 10 feet and has begun blooming, while the other, which is more shaded is only about 2 feet high so far. I'll have to give some more thought to a good location for the Aristolochia. . .