Side by side
Traveller’s joy or Russian vine? How to tell them apart
Clematis vitalba · Fallopia baldschuanica
How to tell them apart – Traveller’s joy: pinnate leaves and fluffy seed heads; Russian vine: extremely fast-growing twining climber that is smothered in frothy white flower sprays in summer.
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How do you recognise them?
- Traveller’s joy
- Vigorous climber with pinnate leaves; fluffy, silvery-grey seed heads in winter.
- Compared with Russian vine: pinnate leaves and fluffy seed heads.
- Russian vine
- Extremely fast-growing twining climber that is smothered in frothy white flower sprays in summer.
| Traveller’s joy | Russian vine | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Opposite, pinnate with 3–5 leaflets; the leaf stalks twist around supports. | Alternate, 4–10 cm, heart- to arrow-shaped, light green, on reddish stalks. |
| Flowering | Small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers in panicles, July–September (July–September). | Masses of tiny white to pink flowers in panicles, from July to October (July–October). |
| Fruit | Small nutlets with long, silvery-haired tails, visible all winter. | Small, three-sided nutlets with a pink wing. |
| Bark | Grooved, rope-like stems that peel in long strips. | Twining stems that become woody. |
| Shape and height | Climber, climbs to 10–20 m | Climber, twines to 10–15 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, dry to wet |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | February–March | March–April and July–August |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Traveller’s joy is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Traveller’s joy is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.