This is so confusing!
I am looking to buy some pipevine for Pipevine Swallowtails.
There are 4 choices at Lazy S Farms. Can anybody help me determine the best one for my needs?
http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Vines/vines.htm
Here is their listing. I only have an 8 foot board fence. It is partly shaded. Water is iffy in the summer. I don't want this thing taking over the world if possible.
#1 isn't native and I'm not 100% sure it is a real host.
#2 the vigorous growth sounds scary. I'm not sure I have, or can get, a trellis in a pot that is strong enough for it. Any ideas?
#3 isn't native, but the height is right. I'm not 100% sure it would be a real host. Does anybody know, for sure?
#4 sounds like a moster. I only have an 8 foot fence. Do you keep it trimmed? Let it grow horizontally?
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#1 Aristolochia baetica Portugese Hardy Dutchman's Pipe Zone: 5-9
A woody-based, twining climber or rambling ground cover with small heart-shaped, pointed, glaucous gray-green leaves, abundant tubular purple funnel-shaped flowers and attractive longitudinally ribbed seed capsules. These blooms really look like an old-fashioned pipe. And like most Dutchman's Pipes, loved by Butterflies at various stages in their life!
Soil: Well-drained H: 8' W: 36" B/M: Purple/ June-July $8.49 Qt.
#2 Aristolochia clematitis Hardy Dutchman's Pipe, Birthwort Zone: 3-9
Touted as a powerful herb for arthritis, gout, cancer, wound healing, etc. but, of course, we can't speak to that. This climbing Perennial has been used in ancient Egypt, in medieval Europe and by the American Indians for several centuries. Very cold hardy, it has naturalized in the New England States. The small yellow 'pipes' have a tube shape and face out. This plant, like all Aristolochia, is a primary food for Pipevine Swallowtail (PVS) & is reported as a choice plant for them due to it's vigorous, spreading growth. In most of the middle to lower states, it will be hardy enough to live in a large pot/tub to restrict growth, if desired. Large, substantial, heart-shaped green leaves with mustard yellow blooms.
Soil: Woodland, well-drained H:3' W:Indef. B/M: Yellow/ $9.99 Qt.
#3 Aristolochia contorta Dutchman's Pipe Zone: 3-
The hardiest of the Dutchman's Pies, from Siberia, NE China and Mongolia. Small refined heart-shaped leaves with greenish-yellow flowers. Especially decorative "hot air balloon' shaped seed pods are 1 1/2" across. More sun and heat tolerant than other Aristolochias.
Soil: Moist but well-drained H: 5' W: Varies with support B/M: Yellow /5-7
#4 Aristolochia durior (microphylla) Hardy Dutchman's Pipe Zone: 4-8
Grown primarily for it beautiful, heart-shaped, HUGE dark green leaves, 6-10" wide but it does also have small, 2" Mahogany & cream blooms (like a Meerschaum pipe) in late spring. Withstands urban pollution, is rarely bothered by diseases or insects and creates a dense shade. Rapid growth once established so it needs a strong support. Native to Pennsylvania down thru Georgia. For more information and photos see this Univ. of Connecticut page.
Soil: Well-drained H: 30' W: Varies w/ support B/M: Mahogany & cream/Late Spring
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I need help determining if the non-native varieties are true hosts. Surely there is a definitive website somewhere.
Thanks for any help,
Suzy
Pipevine for Pipevine Swallowtails in Northern Gardens
Good question. It will be interesting to see if anyone has an answer.
I purchased a "Dutchman's Pipe" vine on close-out at our local native plant nursery last fall. Don't know what kind it is, nor if butterflies like it, but it did come back for me this spring, and I have it in a pot.
I did learn that the Aristolochia serpenteria (or however it is spelled) (Virginia snakewort) is a very common plant (invasive) in our woods. The ranger told me that is where our Pipevine ST lay their eggs. Mmmmm....
And our spicebush swallowtails here generally use sassafras as a host plant.
When someone reports on the Dutchman's Pipe I will be interested to know.
Maybe I will google around...
Maybe this link will give you some info on pipevines for our gardens...
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/butterfly/msg0720320430590.html?24
Suzy, I had made a list from past posts on this forum and web searches and here's the A. species that I came up with for the Pipevine ST:
A. tomentosa, erecta, serpentaria, coryi, macrophylla, californica, fimbriata, duror, trilobata, ringens, gigantea.
I don't know which are native and I don't know which is best, maybe just pick one or two and go for it. lol
A tomentosa seems to be the main one that is native to Indiana. Definatly works and makes fat cats!
Macrophylla is not a native, and is the same plant as durior.. They dropped the durior name altogether. It is native in your surrounding states and will work very good as a host. A tomentosa grows faster. Nearly Native Nursery sells both reasonable. Nice people.
http://nearlynativenursery.com/PlantsDetail.cfm?ID=623
If you have any organic native nurseries around there you might call around and see if they have it.
Ah, Deb, thanks! I had that native plant nursery on my mind, but forgot which thread the link was in and didn't bookmark it.
Is it a mail order nursery? I didn't see a place to click to order.
Suzy
This message was edited May 14, 2007 12:39 AM
I always call and speak to Jim or Debi to place the order.. it's easier with their company to do it that way. 770-460-6284