Aristolochia californica

A deciduous twining climber from, strangely, California. This species of 'Dutchman's Pipe' bears, strangely, Dutchman's Pipe shaped flowers as the softly downy heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring; purple in the mouth; paler outside but pinstriped darker. Drought tolerant once established, for sun or semi-shade, but at its best with its head in the sun and the roots in the shade. Good for trellis, arbor, tripod or grown into a suitable shrub, though best where one can appreciate the distinctive flowers. Hardy. 3 to 4m.