Virgin’s Bower is a native, clambering vine that twines itself up a support, able to reach a height of up to 20'. If grown without a support, it will crawl over everything in its path, leaving a trail of starry white flowers from July to September. The seed heads remain attractive into winter. The thickets formed by the suckering, abundant foliage make useful cover and nest sites for birds such as northern cardinals.
It is an excellent replacement for the non-native, invasive Sweet Autumn Clematis. The two can be differentiated by the leaf margins: our native Virgin’s Bower has a toothed (dentate) leaf margin and is bright green, while the invasive has a smooth-edged (entire) margin and is dark green and leathery.
Sources:
Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers by Harry R. Phillips
The Midwestern Native Garden by Charlotte Adelman & Bernard L. Schwartz
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
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Clematis virginiana (Virgin's Bower) - 1 gal
Virgin's Bower
Plant Care & Installation Quick-Guide
Proper acclimation and installation are key to your plant's success. Please cross-reference these tips with your plant's specific ID tags:
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Pre-Planting: Store plants in a light-appropriate area on soil or grass (avoid hot concrete or asphalt) and water daily until the soil is saturated and the pot feels heavy. If temperatures drop below 30°F, move pots to a garage or cover them to prevent root freeze.
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Installation: Dig a hole matching the depth of the pot, remove the fabric container, and ensure the plant’s crown or root flare is level with the ground. Fill gaps with soil, water heavily, and apply 2 inches of mulch—keeping it clear of the stem.
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Ongoing Care: Check moisture daily by feeling 1–2 inches into the soil; water deeply at the base if the soil feels dry or warm. Newly installed plants require frequent watering (up to 3–4 times weekly in heat) until fully established, which can take a few months for perennials and up to two years for trees.