Common names include Old Man’s Beard, Virgin’s Bower, Devil’s Darning Needles
A fast-growing, fall-blooming, fragrant vine native to eastern North America, including Texas. Its stems may grow 20 feet in one year. It is a climbing vine which will readily wrap its petioles around a trellis if provided with one. Without support, it will sprawl along the ground as a dense, tangled ground cover. It blooms sweetly aromatic clusters of small white flowers that later give way to plume-like achenes. The flowers bloom on the current year’s growth, so prune back hard to 8″-12″ in late winter or early spring. Attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Can spread aggressively by self-seeding and suckering if not maintained. It prefers moist, rich soils, but can tolerate dry shade.
Leaves of this plant are poisonous to humans.
Height: 15’-20’ Spread: 15’-20’ Bloom: July-October Light: Full Sun-Dappled Shade Water: Medium Zone: 3-8 Origin: Texas, eastern U.S.
