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Climber Wall ShrubHerbaceous Perennial

Aristolochia baetica

An interesting herbaceous climber with large, heart-shaped green leaves. In early summer, it produces long, tubular flowers in a dark red-brown which look a bit like saxophones. They smell rather unpleasant to attract flies for pollination, but the resulting seed pods are large, brown and barrel-shaped, with ribs along the length. These open out into lanterns as they ripen and dry

Synonyms

Aristolochia glauca
Aristolochia subglauca

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Aristolochiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing, Trailing
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Aristolochia can be shrubs or herbaceous perennials, many climbing, usually with heart-shaped or ovate leaves. Distinctive flowers have an S-shaped calyx tube and no petals, and are may be white, yellow, brown or maroon, often mottled
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sheltered position. Train up nearby shrubs or up support

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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