The Manchurian Dutchman’s Pipe is a deciduous, woody, twining climber that produces unusual apetalous flowers, each of which features a calyx which resembles a dutchman’s pipe suspended on a thin stalk. It is native to mixed forests in Korea, eastern Siberia and northeastern China including the area formerly known as Manchuria. This vine will typically grow to as much as 15-20’ long (to 8' in one growing season). Large, leathery, orbicular, cordate, palmately-veined, light green leaves (to 11" x 11") are abaxilly covered with white hairs. Each creamy white flower is densely mottled with yellow-green and features a contrasting 3-lobed bronze-red limb at the apex of the corolla-like calyx. Flowers bloom singly or in pairs from the leaf axils in June-July. Each flower acts as a flytrap for insects (flowers are primarily pollinated by flies) that are lured by potent fragrance into entering the calyx where they are dusted with pollen before leaving. Flowers give way to cylindrical dehiscent seed capsules (to 4" long) containing winged seeds which ripen in late summer. Capsules open basipetally when ripe, releasing the seed for distribution by wind.

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 where it may be grown in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Avoid dry soils. Performs well in sandy loams. It needs a trellis, arbor or other structure on which to grow. Also can be grown in containers.

Growing Instructions for the Manchurian Dutchman’s Pipe

The seeds have a period of dormancy and need to be cold stratified to break their dormancy. The seeds are stored in a refrigerator to maintain viability so they have already been stratified. 1. Soak the seeds in warm water for 48 hours. 2. The seeds like rich, moist soil. Sow the seeds in containers with a good quality potting soil or compost. 3. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil. 4. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. Keep the soil moist and do not let it dry out. The seeds will germinate in 2-3 weeks. 5. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.