PlantFiles: California Pipevine
Aristolochia californica

I've had my pipevine for at least 6 years. It is large, but not overly aggressive. It's teeming with big, fuzzy pipevine butterfly caterpillars every Spring. They deplete the leaves markedly, but the vine always recovers. I enjoy providing a home for the beautiful Pipevine Butterfly. I am in Western Sonoma County, not far from the Hallberg Butterfly Garden. In a hotter climate, like Santa Rosa, the vine might appreciate more shade. Mine is in sun half the day. It is easy-care: just occasional Summer water.

I have very rocky, clay soil. plant barely survived 2 years. West of here, in Graton the vine thrives. Monsterous plants exist in Mrs. Hallberg's butterfly gardens. She has deep, rich soil, shade, reasonable water, and TIME.

good plant in open areas, i like the color it has in the fall and it is not hard to control, easy to maintain too

Perennial woody vine native to the west coast of North America. The Pipevine Swallowtail butterly lays its eggs exclusively on Aristolochia species. The larval stage use the plant for food. Like all Aristolochia, its flowers emit an odor which attracts insects. The insects are temporarily trapped in the pipe shaped flowers and serve to pollinate the plant. Note that the stems of this vine are fairly brittle, making it a bit challenging to train.