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Other common names: None
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Difficult to germinate (due two step process below)
Arizona passionflower, by Natalie Case, used with permission.
Beautiful vine which supports fritillary butterflies
TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
Vine |
Up to 10' |
Purple/white |
Scarify and then soak for 24 hours prior to sowing |
Full or partial sun, low to medium water |
Host for Gulf fritillary, Mexican fritillary, and Variegated fritillary butterflies Attracts night flying moths |
Fruits edible, but they MUST be ripe (turns yellow and falls off the vine)
|
Not generally available at nurseries Dies to the ground during hard freezes |
All parts are poisonous except the ripe fruit
|
Recommended use in the landscape: This large showy vine has flowers that open in the evening, so consider placing near a patio, pool, or other area where it can be enjoyed in the evenings.
Other common names: Clematis, Drummond Clematis, Texas Virgin Bower, Virgin's Bower (Spanish: Barbas de Chivato, Barba Chivato, Chilillo)
Germination Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy (see more information below)
Barba de Viejo, Mary Muchowski,
Striking and unusual native vine that supports pollinators and other wildlife
TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE |
WILDLIFE BENEFITS |
EDIBLE | CAUTIONS |
Vine |
6-12 feet |
White (Mar-Sept)
|
Direct sow or scatter seeds in the Fall. Cold moist stratification (seeds and wet sand in a ziploc bag) in the refrigerator for 60-180 days may increase seed germination |
Full to partial sun, low to medium water |
Nectar, host plant for Fatal metalmark butterfly and several moth species, birds eat seeds |
No |
All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested |
Recommended use in the landscape: This beautiful native vine can be used as a screening plant or background planting. It will climb up trees, shrubs or fences despite not having true tendrils.
For Further Information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Clematis drummondii profile.
SEINet. 2020. Clematis drumondii profile.
Other common names: Palmleaf Thoroughwort, Palm-leaf Mistflower, Palm-leaf Thoroughwort, Purple Palmleaf
Mistflower, Purple Palmleaf Eupatorium, Boneset
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Gregg's mistflower, by Danielle Carlock.
If you want Queen butterflies in your yard, this is the plant!
TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE |
WILDLIFE BENEFITS |
EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
Groundcover |
2'X2' |
Purple/blue
|
Direct sow or scatter seeds in the Fall |
Partial sun, medium water |
Nectar, host plant |
No |
Can be grown in containers |
Frost sensitive but comes back in Spring |
Recommended use in the landscape: Plant in mass to attract butterflies and plant where they can be easily enjoyed. Can also be grown in containers.
For Further Information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Conoclinium greggii profile.
SEINet. 2020. Conoclinium greggii profile.
Other common names: Vine milkweed
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Hartweg's twine vine, by Danielle Carlock.
Unusual vine that hosts Queen butterflies
TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
Vine |
Up to 15' |
White/pink |
Soak seeds in warm tap water 24-48 hours |
Partial sun, low water once established |
Host to Queen butterflies and apparently Monarchs (but only as a last resort) |
No. Poisonous |
Twines on fences and other plants
Not generally available at nurseries |
Plants in this family are poisonous Sap may irritate skin May become weedy; recommend cutting off seed pods (you can donate them to the seed library if you'd like!) |
Recommended use in the landscape: Plant against a wall or other climbing surface or near a shrub it can climb. If you mass them, the flowers will stand out even more and help butterflies locate them.
For further information:
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum profile.
SEINet. 2020. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum profile.
Other common names: Roving Sailor, Climbing Snapdragon, Little Snapdragon Vine
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Snapdragon vine, by Danielle Carlock.
Dainty, easy growing vine that supports pollinators
TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
Vine |
Up to 8' |
Purple or red |
Direct sow or scatter |
Full or partial sun, low to medium water once established |
Host plant for common buckeye butterflies; hummingbird pollinated |
No
|
Does well in containers Not generally available at nurseries |
Dies back to ground during winter |
Recommended use in the landscape: Since this vine is very dainty, grow in a location where it will be easy to view. Does well in containers.
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.
SEINet. 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.