Northern Pipevine (Aristolochia contorta) this
is robust (to about 3m = 10ft tall) dense herbaceous climber with perennial
rhizomes. It is native to China, Japan, Korea, Russia
(Siberia) and is full frost hardy in zone 6. It creates numerous very lovely (but
not showy), yellow-green-purple odd-shaped inflorescences.
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| The inflorescences of Northern Pipevine (Aristolochia contorta) |
It blooms in my 50°N
latitude in August. This is self-incompatible so there are necessary at least 2
genetically different plants, to creating fruits. I have only 1 plant so I have
not seen them. It likes well drained but moist soils and full sun or half-shade
position. If it grows in half shade it is very drought resistant when
established. It is medicinal herb (antimicrobial, hallucinogenic,
immuno-stimulating, antitumor and hypotensive). It is
used in folk medicine for example in Korea. It is very rarely cultivated as
ornamental for lovely inflorescences and dense leaf-shoots. There is hard to
find viable seeds of this species. It can be propagated by seeds or dividing of
rhizomes (in early spring).
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| The inflorescences are odd-shaped and lovely close up, but not very showy |
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| It can be quite large climber |
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| Plant in inflorescences just after rain |
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| The leaves are glabrous and paller on down surface |
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If you have viable seeds or young plants this species or any its other frost hardy, herbaceous perennial cousins, please write to me.
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