Comment concerning American Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana): Old Man's Beard Clematis

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As a comment about American Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana), Chillybean wrote:

This is a US native vine that can grow in sunny or part sun locations. For the plant to go to seed, you need both male and female plants. This is what I consider the plant's glory, those amazing seed heads! We have eight of these in hopes there will be at least one of each gender. This we will find out the first time they flower.

We dug up an alien clematis to make room for one pair. Two were put in as dormant roots last fall; one did not make it. I ordered seven more plants. Most are in part shade, but a couple are along a fence line that gets sun all day. They started out slow this spring, but then they really took off as the season progressed.

Unlike alien Clematis, which the rabbits have eaten down to the ground, this is poisonous to mammals. I really do not like having to chicken wire plants to keep the rabbits out. The only feeders so far, are whatever insects nibble on leaves and there is no heavy infestation.

Edited to add: How can I forget the other common names I appreciate more than these listed on this page? Old Man's Beard (Admittedly, which is used for other plants as well.) and Prairie Smoke on a Rope.

Name: Lyn Weaverville, California (Zone 8a) RoseBlush1 Aug 9, 2015 4:08 PM CST
This plant is listed as invasive in some states and work is done in many national forests to remove the plant. I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer. \| Quote \| Post #924808 (1)

Name: Kim Iowa (Zone 5a) I kill ornamentals... on purpose. Chillybean Aug 9, 2015 5:19 PM CST
It is considered aggressive in the Northeast, but this doesn't effect what I will plant here. :) \| Quote \| Post #924858 (2)

Name: Lyn Weaverville, California (Zone 8a) RoseBlush1 Aug 9, 2015 6:20 PM CST
Kim .... That's why I said "some" My comment was just a heads-up kind of thing. This plant can be a thug in some environments and a lovely addition to the garden in others. It's just a good idea to check before you plant it in your garden. I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer. \| Quote \| Post #924898 (3)

Name: Kim Iowa (Zone 5a) I kill ornamentals... on purpose. Chillybean Aug 9, 2015 6:42 PM CST
My focus is on US natives, but prefer Iowa natives, wanting to grow what was here historically, if possible. After I left my comment, I tried delving into this. Other than the mention on the USDA site, I am not finding any concrete info on this plant, but about the C. terriflora causing great problems. (At least as far as I searched.) A New York site even gives the C. Virginiana as a suitable replacement for the Sweet Autumn Clematis. \| Quote \| Post #924916 (4)

Name: Lyn Weaverville, California (Zone 8a) RoseBlush1 Aug 9, 2015 7:14 PM CST
It is simply a good idea to check. Here's a site for Oregon: http://www.wmswcd.org/content.... I saw some broom plants that I just loved at a nursery and decided to check and found that it is considered invasive in my county. Yet, in other places it is more mannerly and it is considered a fine garden plant. I'd rather weed than dust ... the weeds stay gone longer. \| Quote \| Post #924942 (5)

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