Description

Virgin’s bower grows in seasonally moist areas in most of California. It is excluded only by the harsh conditions of the deserts of the southeast and the Modoc Plateau in the northeast. Like its close relative the foothills clematis, Clematis lasiantha, virgin’s bower twines its way through other shrubs and trees in search of sunlight. In spring its compound leaves may nearly cover its supportive host plants. In mid to late spring the bower of fragrant white flowers appear for quite a display. As the plant goes dormant in the summer each flower produces a tuft of seeds with feathery extensions. Virgin’s bower will then be dormant until the next season. Plant this hardy vine among other shrubs where its dramatic flower may be appreciated, but its summer dormancy will not detract from the overall appearance of the planting.