Virgin's-Bower

Virgin's-Bower (Clematis virginiana) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,086 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Nationally it blooms mainly from August to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Virgin's-Bower: observations by month (U.S.)

About Virgin's-Bower

Clematis virginiana (also known as devil's darning needles, devil's hair, love vine, traveller's joy, virgin's bower, Virginia virgin's bower, wild hops, and woodbine; syn. Clematis virginiana L. var. missouriensis (Rydb.) Palmer & Steyermark ) is a vine of the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) native to the United States and Canada from Newfoundland to southern Manitoba down to the Gulf of Mexico. The rationale for some of the common names is unclear, as they include examples normally appliedFrom Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Virgin's-Bower by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (buttercup family)

Lesser CelandineFicaria verna

Red ColumbineAquilegia canadensis

Western ColumbineAquilegia formosa

Rue AnemoneThalictrum thalictroides

Marsh MarigoldCaltha palustris

Wood AnemoneAnemonoides quinquefolia

Blue ColumbineAquilegia coerulea

Tenpetal AnemoneAnemone berlandieri

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ