Plant Wooly Dutchman’s Pipevine Seed for Pipevine Swallowtails!

Host plant for the beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly

Perennial

Woody, twining vine, leaves die back in the winter

Hardy in USDA zones 5-8

Likes full sun to part shade (especially in hotter climates)

Prefers fertile, medium moist, well-drained soil but will do fine in average soil, does not like dry soil

Native to Southeastern and Midwest US, but is often cultivated outside its natural range

Vigorous vine with large heart-shaped leaves. Can reach 20-30 feet

Great on a trellis, arbor, fence, for screening or quick cover or sprawling up trees over shrubs

Wooly Pipevine Seed Germination

We get about a 50% germination rate from our Wooly Dutchman’s Pipevine seeds with no pre-treatment at all.  We just plant them about 1/4 inch deep at room temperature (70-80F), keep moist, and they germinate in about 2-3 weeks.  Some references suggest soaking in water for 24 hours and/or 3 months of cold-stratification.  Perhaps this would improve germination but we haven’t tried it so cannot speak from experience.  If you are not going to plant the seeds right away please store them (dry – just the way they are packed) in your refrigerator until you are ready to plant them. These should do fine for fall planting and winter-sowing. We always like to hear your techniques and results so please contact us if you would like to share your experiences!

Aristolochia tomentosa and Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies

The Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies will lay their eggs on its leaves and the emerging caterpillars will feed on its foliage.  They can defoliate an entire plant! But, no worries, the vine will regrow its leaves!  There are many different varieties of Aristolochia and some of them (especially the tropical ones) could be poisonous.  The “mother” butterfly will not know the difference, and she might lay her eggs on the harmful kind.  This is why it is very important to make sure you grow the right species of Aristolochia.