Clematis ligusticifolia

Virgin's Bower, Old Man's Beard

A perennial vine that can crawl up to 30 feet tall.  White flowers bloom in the summer.  It is deciduous in the summer.  This vine is toxic and causes a skin irritation.  Early settlers called this plant the pepper vine and used this as a pepper substitute.  

Plant with: Birch (Betula species), Ceanothus species, Dogwood (Cornus species), Coffeeberry (Frangulas species), Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus), Wild Rose (Rosa species), and Western Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. occidentale)

- Full shade to part shade

- Best in sand and clay soils 

- Water twice a month once established

- Great companion plant under evergreen oaks

- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

- Deer resistant

- Hardy up to -20 degrees

- Native to California