Old Man's Beard Clematis virginiana
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Old Man's Beard:
Previously known as:
- Clematis canadensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- KLEM-ah-tiss ver-jin-ee-AY-nah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Virgin’s-bower, a native of the central and eastern United States and Canada, is a woody, perennial vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). The species epithet is Latin for “Virginian.”
Virgin’s-bower prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial to some deep shade. It is one of the few vines that will flower in shade. It can be pruned any time during the growing season to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Pruning can be as low as 8 to 12 inches above ground if a couple of healthy leaf buds are on the remaining stalks. The best time to prune for the next year is late fall to early spring (Type 3). Propagate by layering, seed or stem cutting.
It is a rapid grower and can reach 15 to 20 feet high and 3 to 6 feet wide, climbing by its clinging leaf stalks. Virgin’s-bower has showy, fragrant blooms in the autumn. It attracts a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds. This plant may be less frequently damaged by deer and rabbits. Requiring less maintenance, the male plant is not adorned with seeds (versus the female, which does produce seeds) but is showier (in comparison to the female plant).
This easy-to-grow vine works well in a woodland, native, pollinator or shade garden, where it has room to twine up supports or fences, otherwise, it will scramble along the ground. It can grow over and overwhelm landscape shrubs.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Clematis wilt, powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust, and viruses can be problematic. Potential insect pests include aphids, vine weevils, slugs/snails, scale and earwigs. Watch for spider mites. It self-seeds and can become weedy.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- virginiana
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Aboriginals and Native Americans used this plant for medicinal purposes. An extract of the stems was used as a hallucinogen. The Cherokee used an infusion combined with milkweed for backache and as an ingredient in ceremonial green corn medicine. An infusion of the root was used for stomach trouble and nerves and also for kidney problems by the Cherokee and the Iroquois. The Iroquois also used an infusion of the roots to treat venereal disease sores.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to Central & E. U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and bees.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Dense
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Female plants have brown plume-like feathery seed-heads that resemble an old man's beard. Fruit displays from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Cross
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Dioecious plants with fragrant 1 1/4" white flowers with four narrow sepal-like petals form in axillary panicles bloom from July to September. The blooms cover the whole plant including the foliage in many clusters arising from the leaf axils.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Compound trifoliate green leaves with 3-5 toothed oval to elliptic leaflets are 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. Leaf petioles are 2 inches long and act like tendrils as the vine twines up supports. Undersides have hairs along the veins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Round to squarish stems are green to purplish with hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Clematis can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers if eaten. Toxic to dogs, cats, horses. Clinical signs are salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. In humans, symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Fatalities are rare, due to the rapid and intense bitter taste and mouth irritation from eating. Gastric lavage is recommended and anti-inflammatory to soothe irritated tissue. Contact dermatitis results in skin redness and burning sensation for some people, gardening gloves are recommended.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- protoanemonin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
