Climbing Milkvine: A Native Groundcover with Mysterious Charm
If you’re looking for a native plant that’s a little off the beaten path, let me introduce you to climbing milkvine (Matelea obliqua). This perennial member of the milkweed family might not be the star of your garden center, but it has some unique qualities that make it worth considering for the right spot in your landscape.
What Exactly Is Climbing Milkvine?
Despite its common name, climbing milkvine is actually more of a trailing groundcover than a true climber. This herbaceous perennial is a native forb—basically a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground each winter and returns in spring. Don’t let the scientific name Matelea obliqua intimidate you; it’s also been called by quite a few other names over the years as botanists figured out exactly where it belongs in the plant family tree.
Where Does It Call Home?
Climbing milkvine is proudly native to the eastern and southeastern United States. You can find it naturally growing in fifteen states, from Pennsylvania down to Georgia and as far west as Missouri and Mississippi. It’s particularly fond of the deciduous woodlands and forest edges throughout Alabama, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
What Makes It Garden-Worthy?
Here’s where climbing milkvine gets interesting. In summer, it produces clusters of small, dark purple to maroon flowers that have an almost mysterious, dusky appearance. The heart-shaped leaves add a lush, tropical feel to shaded areas. While it won’t give you the showy display of a peony, there’s something quietly appealing about its understated beauty.
As a member of the milkweed family, the flowers have a unique pollination system that attracts small native bees, flies, and other tiny pollinators. It’s not a monarch magnet like its more famous cousin, but it does its part for local pollinator communities.
The Good, The Bad, and The Practical
Why You Might Love It:
- Native plant that supports local ecosystems
- Thrives in shade where many plants struggle
- Low maintenance once established
- Unique flowers add subtle interest
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
Why You Might Think Twice:
- Can spread aggressively in ideal conditions
- Not the most showy ornamental plant
- May be difficult to find at nurseries
- Can be somewhat weedy in appearance
Perfect Garden Spots
Climbing milkvine shines in woodland gardens, natural areas, and native plant landscapes. It’s perfect for that challenging shady spot where grass won’t grow, or for naturalizing under trees. Think of it as nature’s groundcover solution for forest-like settings. It pairs beautifully with wild ginger, mayapple, and other native woodland plants.
Growing Your Own Climbing Milkvine
The good news is that climbing milkvine isn’t particularly fussy once you understand its preferences:
Light: Partial shade to full shade works best. It can handle some morning sun but appreciates protection from harsh afternoon rays.
Soil: Adaptable to various soil types including clay and loam, but prefers moist, well-drained conditions. It’s quite tolerant once established.
Water: Moderate moisture is ideal, though it can handle some drought once mature.
Maintenance: Minimal care required. You might need to control its spread if it gets too enthusiastic in prime conditions.
Planting and Care Tips
Since climbing milkvine can be hard to find commercially, you might need to seek out native plant sales or specialty nurseries. If you’re lucky enough to find some, plant it in spring after frost danger passes.
Give each plant about 2-3 feet of space, keeping in mind that it may spread via underground rhizomes. Water regularly the first season to help establish roots, then step back and let it do its thing. In fall, you can leave the dried stems for winter interest or cut them back—your choice.
The Bottom Line
Climbing milkvine isn’t for every garden or every gardener. It’s best suited for those who appreciate native plants, have challenging shady areas to fill, and don’t mind a plant that might have its own agenda about where it wants to grow. If you’re creating a natural woodland setting or want to support local wildlife with native plants, this quirky little groundcover might just be the perfect addition to your landscape palette.
