Aristolochia macrophylla

Aristolochia durior, also known as the macrophylla, is also called the Dutchman's Pipe. It is a luxuriant and hardy climbing plant, cultivated primarily for the beauty of its foliage. It adds an exotic touch to the garden. Its large heart-shaped leaves, abundant and shiny dark green, dress walls or cascade from their supports. Before disappearing in winter, they take on flamboyant autumnal colours. It is a highly appreciated plant for covering pergolas and arbors, and a perfect camouflage for any type of building, pole, fence...

Aristolochia macrophylla belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family. It is a woody climbing plant of great development, perfectly hardy, adapted to rather moist, even limestone soils. Eventually, the length or height of its vegetation reaches between 10 and 20 m (33 and 66ft) depending on the growing conditions. The foliage is deciduous, appearing in spring and falling in autumn. Its sturdy, branched stems have a greyish-green bark with shallow furrows. The heart-shaped leaves measure 10 to 35 cm (4 to 14in) in length and width and are arranged alternately. They are slightly hairy when they emerge, then become glabrous. In spring, their colour is a tender green, then turns to shiny dark green in summer. In October, the foliage becomes bright orange and then red to purple in November before falling. The flowering occurs in June or July, it is unique but discreet, hidden among the foliage. The tiny flowers have a pipe-like shape. The pipe is green veined with yellow and ends with lips of a dark brown almost black. In our climates, this Aristolochia rarely produces fruit, due to the absence of specific pollinating insects.

With its dense, opulent vegetation, which extends both in height and width on a pergola, climbing a large tree or a pole, the Dutchman's Pipe is a blessing for embellishing and concealing anything that needs to be hidden. It is perfect for greening a wall, dressing a fence, or adding volume to another climbing plant that is a bit sparse. To accompany it, choose for example the Clematis vitalba or the Clematis terniflora, two other forces of nature. You can also pair it with Irish Ivy, which is evergreen in winter, or with a Virginia Creeper.