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May 25, 2020 7:42 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Debbieo
Florence Al (Zone 7a)
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
This vine is a host plant for swallowtails. I am thinking about planting one. Please share me your experience with this plant. Pros and cons.
I live in N W Alabama. Zone 7 heavy non perking clay.
Thank You!
debbieo
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May 26, 2020 5:48 AM CST

I haven't grown it personally but I have relatives who did.
It is a true Sun- and warmth-lover: if you want it to bloom properly pick a site where it will get as much Sun as it can. It should do just fine in Zone 7.
It needs manure/compost at planting and perhaps a PK fertilizer if it doesn't bloom as much as you'd like. Avoid nitrogen-rich feitilizers otherwise the plant will grow out of control and have reduced blooming.
Speaking of growth you may want to provide it with a very strong support and train it as it grows: this is a twining vine that grows fast and strong. My grandfather pruned it ever Winter to keep the size in check and encourage blooming, always a good practice with quick-growing vines.

One final word: these days the closesly related Aristolochia gigantea is sometimes sold as Dutchman's Pipe Vine because it has truly enormous flowers and grows even quicker than NA native A. macrophylla. This plant should be avoided for two reasons: first, its flowers are harmful to swallowtail caterpillars and second, those enormous flowers stink to the High Heavens!
I am just another white boy who thinks he can play the Blues.
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Jun 5, 2020 9:41 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Debbieo
Florence Al (Zone 7a)
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
El Pollo Diablo. Thank you so much for all the great information. I will be adding this to my host plants this year. Never enough host plants!
You are definitely one hot chiken!🐔🐓 Hilarious!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
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