Virgin's Bower

Carried by 50 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Virgin's bower (Clematis ligusticifolia) is a climbing, spreading vine with showy flowers. It is also known as Old-man's Beard and Yerba de Chiva, and Virgin's bower (though this may also refer to C. lasiantha). It is native to North America and widespread across the western United States in streamside thickets, wooded hillsides, and coniferous forests up to 4,000 feet. It was called "pepper vine" by early travelers and pioneers of the American Old West.

Plant overview

Plant type

Perennial herb, Vine

Size

1 - 30 ft Tall
2 - 6 in Wide

Form

Climbing, Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Summer Deciduous

Fragrance

Slight

Color

Cream, White

Flowering season

Summer

Special uses

Deer resistant

Landscaping information

Sun

Partial Shade, Deep Shade

Water

Low, Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to -20 - -10° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerant of sand and clay. Tolerates serpentine soil..
Soil PH: 5 - 8

Sunset Zones

1*, 2*, 3*, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24*

Natural setting

Site type

Stream Edges, wet places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Companion plants

See all

This plant is often found climbing up through larger shrubs such as Birch (Betula spp.), Ceanothus species, Dogwood (Cornus spp.), Coffeeberry (Frangulas species), Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus), Wild Rose (Rosa spp.), and Western Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. occidentale)