Virgin's Bower
(Clematis virginiana)

Other common names: Leather Flower

Family: Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae), Crowfoot Family (Ranunculaceae)

Distinctive features: Vine, ;Vine. Compound leaves. Distinctive fluffy seed head persists into winter. White 4-part flowers.

Similar species:
  •   Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) - larger leaves, bright red large tubular flowers.

  •   Purple Clematis (Clematis occidentalis) - purple flowers.


Flowers: Summer;  Green/Brown, White;  4 parts (petals);  White, 4 petals

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled;  Compound/Divided;  Toothed;  3 leaflets

Height: Up to 5 m (16 ft)

Fruit/Seeds: fluffy head, persist into winter

Habitat: Clearings, edges of forests& thickets

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 170    Shrubs of Ontario: 117   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: virginiana: of Virginia, Virginian


See Also:
  •   Virgin's Bower and the Asian Twin, from The Monday Garden, by Sue Sweeney


For more information visit: Ontario Trees and Shrubs

Photographs: 82 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

An overview of what this vine looks like. It twines a bit over other vegetation.

Another overview.

Closeup of the compound leaf. It has 3 leaflets. The leaves are opposite.

Flower buds in late July.

The flowers appear in late July - August, sometimes into September. These flowers are just opening.

Full open flowers. They have 4 white petals.

Closeup of the flowers.

The fluffy seed heads in late August. There may still be flowers on the same plant that has seeds.

The fluffy seed heads, dried out and still on the plant in late January.

Another view of the seed head in winter (December).

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