My Aristolochia tomentosa pipevines are putting out new growth but the growth is mainly high up and not from the lower stems. Is this common behavior for these vines? Do they need to be cut back each spring and if so, how far up from the base. I have some vine that looks rough and woody like bark, then some that looks dull green and then the growth near the ends of last years growth.
I live in zone 7b and this is the second year in my garden for the vines. I've also new to raising these vines. The new growth at the top looks healthy but it's a long way up from the base of the vines.
My thanks for any comments.
Mary
Aristolochia tomentosa pipevines - do you cut them back?
I don't have experience with the tomentosa A. I do keep giganteas indoor and bring back outside this time of year... I hope someone else may have an answer for you Mary.
Kim
Kim....the gigantea is toxic to pipevine swallowtail cats, but the polydamas can use it without problem. Which do you have in AL?
Sheila, I don't even know if we have either the Pipevine Swallowtail or the Polydamas ST. I've kept the A. gigantea for several years for ornamental purpose. Never have I seen any activity on these vines. Thank you for the head up. Maybe I need to do some search for other type of A. pipevine to be host for the lovely butterflies. And give up on this unusual looking bloom gigantea.
Here is a link that you can put in your county name and get info on the bfs in your area.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=0&tid=34
Aristolochia reticulata (Texas dutchman's pipe)
Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot)
Aristolochia tomentosa (woolly dutchman's pipe)
These are healthy options.
This message was edited Apr 18, 2011 7:24 AM
Hi - from zone 5b in central Missouri. I wouldn't cut back your Pipevine, just saying. I have one which had to be moved and it's taken over a year to recover, and is now leafing out near the top.