May 10, 2026

Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa) is a vine that is native to Virginia and beyond. I have it in my garden and love having it. It blooms mid-May, with these unusual looking flowers.

It’s a vine that knows no bounds though. But if you keep after it, it will bring you a reward of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor), which depends exclusively upon plants in the genus Aristolochia, such as this Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe.

I have to keep after the Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe. It is constantly trying to sneak, like a little 2 year old, watching to see if I’m watching, as it reaches into my Blueberry bushes that are nearby. Having the Pipevine Swallowtails active in my yard though is totally worth it!

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