Aristolochia macrophylla
Dutchman's pipe
Common names: Pipevine
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Hardiness
- Hardy
- Pruning
- Feb–Mar
- Flowering
- May–Jun
Photo: Sten Porse · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
The pipevine (Aristolochia macrophylla) is a vigorous, summer‑green climber with large, heart‑shaped leaves that quickly form a dense, screen‑like barrier on pergolas and trellises. From May to June, the distinctive pipe‑shaped, yellow‑brown patterned flowers appear, are insect‑pollinated, and usually remain hidden among the foliage. All parts of the plant contain aristolochic acid and are toxic; contact and especially ingestion should be avoided, particularly by children and pets. As a North American native form, it is suitable for naturalistic hedges and shaded façade greenings.
Care instructions
Plant the pipevine in a semi‑shaded to sunny spot with a sturdy trellis for support. Water abundantly after planting in spring (late April to mid‑May, weeks 17 to 20) to establish growth. The soil should be fresh to moist, humus‑rich, and nutrient‑rich; later it tolerates occasional dryness. In early spring, prune back overly long or leggy shoots before new growth to keep the plant dense. Wear gloves when pruning, as the sap can irritate skin. A mulch layer in winter protects young plants at frosty sites.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringMay–Jun
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, humus-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich
Dutchman's pipe likes fresh to moist, humus-rich soil that lets water through well and does not tend towards waterlogging. It is happiest in nutrient-rich garden soil with a good portion of compost. A slightly acidic to neutral pH suits it best; improve sandy or strongly chalky soils with humus before planting.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Apr–Jun
A helping of compost in spring is usually enough for Dutchman's pipe for the whole season. If you like, also mulch with well-rotted leaf compost or horn shavings around the root zone. In high summer and autumn you do not need to feed any more, so that the shoots can ripen in time.
Pruning
In late winter, before the new growth begins, you can prune Dutchman's pipe into shape and shorten shoots that have grown too long or gone bare. This keeps the support densely covered and the plant sprouts strongly again. Pruning during the growing season is not necessary, but occasionally thinning out overly dense shoots in summer improves air circulation.
Overwintering
As a woody climber, Dutchman's pipe is hardy and usually survives German winters without protection. In the first one to two years, young plants appreciate a mulch layer of leaves or straw over the root zone. In very exposed, windy spots, a loose cover of brushwood or horticultural fleece for the leaf buds can also make sense.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Cuttings
- Layering
The most reliable way to propagate Dutchman's pipe is by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, which you root in free-draining seed compost. Layering also works well: lightly nick a low shoot, press it into the soil and be patient for a few months until it has formed roots of its own. Sowing is possible but tedious, as the seeds need a cold spell to germinate and the seedlings only flower after several years. Freshly rooted young plants get through their first winter best with a little protection.
For your garden
Grow Dutchman's pipe yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
Free, no time limit
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?