Vines: plants that deserve more credit

by Helen M. Scott
Tuesday, November 6, 2007 2:32 PM MST

Vines can be a beautiful addition to your yard or garden, and they are one of the most versatile of all plants.

Vines are fascinating in that there are so many varieties and also in the many ways that they are able to climb. Some have disk-like suction cups at the ends of short tendrils, which allow them to attach to textured or smooth surfaces.

Others have root-like hold fasts that run along their stems, which are ideal for the more textured surfaces like wood, stone or brick.

There are twining vines, which wrap themselves around a support with the spiraling either clockwise or counterclockwise. The direction of spiraling is not by their choosing, but rather is programmed by nature.

One of the most interesting and beautiful vines encountered in walks through my neighborhood is the Dutchman’s pipe or Aristolochia tomentosa. Aristolochia, from the Greek Aristo (meaning best) and lochia (meaning delivery), refers to the medicinal qualities of the plant in supposedly aiding in childbirth, and with tomentosa, meaning covered with fine, matted hairs.

The Dutchman’s pipe vine is a twining, high climbing vine often grown to cover sun porches, pillars, posts, arbors, fences or walls. Sources say that typically in the wild it can be seen climbing trees or shrubs, and quickly can grow to 20-30 feet tall and is actually capable of a height of 75 feet.

This perennial vine can be grown in sun to shade, it blooms in May and June, and has large, beautiful, dark green leaves shaped somewhat like hearts that densely overlap and can grow from 4-8 inches long. It is truly beautiful.

The plant has interesting flowers and seed pods, and is often cultivated for ornament. Seed pods can grow three inches long and 1.5 inches wide and mature to a graying-brown in September. Flowers are 1-2 inches long and shaped like pipes and are greenish yellow.

The vine name comes from the unusual two-inch long, yellowish-green, curved-trumpet flowers each flaring at the calyx mouth to form three brownish-purple lobes that resemble Dutch smoking pipes.

Sources also say that Dutchman’s pipe vine is a host plant for the Blue Swallowtail butterfly that lays its eggs on the leaves, where the larva hatch and feed together on the leaf edge. The pipe vine flower attracts and traps flies and gnats.

Dutchman’s pipe vine grows well from seed and is easily grown in average, medium wet, well drained soil in full sun to part shade. They actually prefer rich, moist soils and can be intolerant of dry soils. The plant can be cut back in late winter to control growth.

In your garden or growing around your yard, the Dutchman’s pipe vine is a beautiful and valuable ally where a large-leaved, vigorous vine is desired or needed.

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