Origin: Panama
Flower Size: 6 to 10 in
Scent: See Descr.
Bloom Season: April to Nov.
Mature Size: 20 ft
Hardiness: 10 to 11
Description: Aristolochia gigantea is also called Giant Pelican Flower and Giant Dutchman's Pipe. The vine is easy to grow and very vigorous. While officially hardy to zone 10 and warmer, we've given ours a few frosts with no trouble at all. Technically, it is safe to 27f. Up north, we grow it in a large pot on the back porch and bring it in to a light window for the winter after cutting it back a bit. In the warm months it is constantly rewarding us with the huge, unusual blooms with great colors. Each flower has one day in which it smells like a lemon. While it isn't overpowering, with so many flowers in blooms at once, it is always noticed when walking by. Down south it may be safely grown outdoors in the ground where it will bloom much longer each year and may attract Pipe-vine Swallowtail butterflies.