Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin on August 3, 2021
Virgin's Bower - Clematis virginiana
Virgin's Bower is a native woody vine that may reach 10 - 20 feet or more with suitable support.
The flowers are white with 4-parted petal-like sepals. A single vine can have all male flowers or all female flowers, while another vine may have all "perfect" flowers (each flower having both male and female parts).
There are numerous spreading stamens in the center of the male flower with white with creamy tips. The female flowers have numerous greenish pistils in the center, each with a curled style, and may be surrounded by
a few sterile stamens.
Virgin's Bower blooms July-August.
Virgin's Bower is often confused with Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) which is an introduced vine native to Japan. Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) can grow up to 30 feet long, overwhelming everything in its path.
Other Names: Devil's-darning-needle, Woodbine, Devil's hair.
Above: Virgin's Bower (L) versus Sweet Autumn Clematis (R) leaves.
For more information on Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana), visit Wikipedia.
Or, for information on Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) visit the: Wisconsin State Herbarium.
Or, for information on Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) download information page from the: University of Wisconsin Arboretum.
Or, for information on Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) download the information page from the: Wisconsin Master Gardener website.
Virgin's Bower
Clematis virginiana
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (8/01/21)
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (8/03/21)
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (8/10/21)
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (8/13/21)
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (8/14/21)
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (9/14/22)
Above: Virgin's Bower along Ho-Nee-Um Pond boardwalk in Madison, Wisconsin (11/24/21)
Above: Virgin's Bower specimen collected in Grant County on August 2, 2015.
Above: 1918 Virgin's Bower photo.
Above: 1913 Virgin's Bower illustration.
Above: 1879 Virgin's Bower illustration.