Aristolochia macrophylla

Dutchman's Pipe

This deciduous woody vine is an old-fashioned favorite grown for its large, heart-shaped, glossy green leaves (6-12" long) which can quickly cover sun porches, verandas, pillars, posts, trellises, arbors, fences or walls. It is commonly called Dutchman's pipe because the unusual, 2" long flowers look something like Dutch smoking pipes. They are quite interesting so be sure to look behind the dense foliage, which usually hides them. This is the larval host plant for the blue and black pipevine swallowtail butterfly.

Benefits:

• Grows quickly


• Provides dense shade


• Grows well in moist soil


• Host plant for pipevine swallowtail butterfly

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Easy to grow in full sun or part shade

Plant in medium wet, well-drained soil. Prefers rich, moist soil; will not tolerate dry soils

Needs a stout support to climb on

Cut back in late winter to control growth.

Height 15-30 Feet

Spread 4-10 Feet

Native Range Wooded slopes, ravines and gaps; mostly confined to the Cumberland and Blue Ridge mountains from West Virginia to Kentucky, Tennessee, and northern Georgia (has naturalized elsewhere in the East). Distribution Maps by State and County

Native Trivia During breeding season, male pipevine swallowtails patrol a territory, waiting for females to arrive. After mating, a female lays several rust-colored eggs on the underside of a leaf. They will only lay eggs on plants in the pipevine family because these are the only plants the caterpillars are able to eat.

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

"Butterflies, such as myself, and my friends, the pipevine swallowtails, find this plant indispensable!"

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Vines	Exposure • Sun • Filtered Shade	Soil Moisture Preference • Average	Attracts Wildlife • Butterflies
Bloom Time • Summer	Habitat Collection • Butterfly	Native Habitat • Forest	Foliage Color • Green • Dark Green
Uses • Climbing, trailing