Make a difference: Plant a Pipevine!

Hi, Cottagers!

Wanted to share this.... (-:

I was googling about vines for butterflies and found this article about conservation of the Pipevine Swallowtail and I thought DG Cottage Gardeners might be interested in knowing how they could grow a pretty vine in the cottage garden and make a difference to the environment:

http://www.nababutterfly.com/pipevine_dream_project.html

They say Pipevines are traditional vines for Victorian Porches and that's why I thought of the Cottage Garden Forum. ( I think the butterfly garden forum people already plants lots of pipevine!).

Any way, I thought some of you might find this project interesting and worthwhile.

Here are some photos of the pipevine ST oviposting on aristolochia (thanks to cotinus' flickr photos): http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcoin/103238077/

Also, If you know of a good source for pipevines, especially A. 'serpentaria', please tell us! t.

I didn't think it wouls grow up here...learned something new today!! Thanks for sharing great information!

I looked it up on PlantFiles, and it grows 15-20 feet, and has rather odd/grotesque looking flowers (in my opinion). Here's a link.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/search.php?q=pipevine&Search=Search+PlantFiles

nope not really pretty...

Yes, some aren't so pretty, but they are unusual. LOL. And some grow quite aggressively (watch out!) and others are more polite. We have ours planted on an old woodpile out back.

There are loads of different kinds of Aristolochias and many of them are 'collectors' vines; not all of them are good for the Pipevine Swallowtails ovipositing, though....

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/search.php?q=aristolochia&Search=Search+PlantFiles

but the ones that are generally grown for the Pipevine swallowtail butterfly up North (Ohio, Indiana, MA, etc), nanny, are the 'macrophylla'

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/55232/ and Aristolochia serpentaria, which is small ground cover type vine that is native to the midwest and south east, etc. At least that's what I've read.

Southerners might need/want a different Pipevine for their swallowtails...and I can't remember which one it is, but I think the article I linked above talks about other suitable choices.

Anyway, I just thought is was an interesting way to help a somewhat struggling species and have something interesting growing in the garden... (-:

Happy gardening! t.

Very interesting looking. Actually reminded me of my Grandpa's pipe. Not sure where I would plant one but what a conversation piece one would be!

Out here in the West a great evergreen vine to grow is Passiflower (passionflower). It's the only food of the Gulf Fritillary butterfly. In mild winters I've had butterflies as early as January, but usually they start showing up around March. I have one purple and one coral one:

Ahhhhh....I bet that is what is growing up the trees around here!! We never knew what it was.

Nanny, are your passion flower vines the ones with a blue flower?

We don't have red flowers growing on ours in the wild, but the blue ones are host plants for Frittillaries. They can get wild though.

I planted one last year.... even though I don't think I will ever see a Pipevine Swallowtail here. Mine is still in the process of leafing out now. It reminds me of a morning glory without flowers! I am into butterflies and wanted one thinking maybe they will find it some day. It is probably a 'pipe' dream though lol. :)

Well, good luck, M., it looks like you have them in NH! http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1350&chosen_state=33*New%20Hampshire

Happy B-day, to you too. Have a wonderful day (in the garden?)!