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Climber Wall Shrub

Aristolochia macrophylla

Dutchman's pipe

A vigorous deciduous climber with broad, heart-shaped leaves to 30cm in length, and solitary greenish flowers 3-4cm in length, mottled with yellow and purple, borne in the leaf axils

Other common names

big sarsaparilla
broad-leaved birthwort
see morepipe vine
wild ginger

Synonyms

Aristolochia sipho
Aristolochia durior

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–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
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
Plant range: SE Canada to E USA

How to grow

Cultivation

This climber thrives in a sunny, sheltered position with a soil that is fertile and well-drained

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 11 or pruning group 12; prune after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility

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