Devil's Darning Needles
Clematis virginiana
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © mdovciak (iNaturalist #57970328)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Clematis
- Species:
- Clematis virginiana
- USDA Symbol:
- CLVI5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alcathoe caudata, satyr pug (Eupithecia satyrata)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Alcathoe caudata Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops), Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers riverbanks and woodland edges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be slow and erratic; fresh seed may germinate more readily. Light may aid germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are stratified in mesh bags in moist sand for 60 days in a cooler at 40°F with 35% relative humidity. A fungicidal drench is applied prior to stratification to prevent mildew.
Establishment: Seeds can also be sown in germination mix in 392 plug trays, drenched with fungicide, wrapped in plastic and stratified with satisfactory results. Bottom heat and mist have also yielded good results during the establishment phase.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed). | GA3 improves germination.