Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana)

 

Virgin’s Bower  (Clematis virginiana)

Virgin’s bower is a vigorous native vine that plays an important role in Wisconsin’s moist woodlands and streamside habitats. Its fragrant late-summer blooms support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when few other natives are flowering, while its dense foliage offers nesting cover for songbirds and erosion control along banks. As a host plant for specialist insects like the Clematis Clearwing Moth, it contributes to complex food webs, even attracting beneficial parasitic wasps. Though its foliage is avoided by mammals, such as deer and rabbits, its adaptability and fast growth make it a valuable addition to restoration projects, especially when paired with other moisture-loving natives.

It can grow up to 20 feet tall. Its small, white, and fragrant flowers are about 1 inch across, featuring four petal-like sepals that are slightly hairy on the upper surface and more densely so on the lower. The leaves are compound, typically in groups of three leaflets, with each leaflet reaching up to 4 inches long and 3 inches wide. These leaflets are often shallowly lobed or cleft, with coarsely toothed edges, sharply pointed tips, and a rounded to heart-shaped base. (SF)