Akebia Quinata - Chocolate Vine plant - Flowering fragrant Climber - winter hardy Garden Plant - Easy to Grow - 3L pot cm pot 75 cm height

Pot size: 17 cm

Heigh: 75 cm

Akebia quinata, commonly known as the Chocolate Vine or Five-Leaf Akebia, is a unique and versatile deciduous to semi-evergreen climbing plant. It is native to East Asia, including Japan, China, and Korea. The plant is cherished for its attractive foliage, fragrant flowers, and interesting fruit.

Key Characteristics:

• Growth Habit:

  • Akebia quinata is a fast-growing, vigorous climber that can reach up to 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters) in length.
  • It has twining stems that can quickly cover trellises, arbors, fences, or walls, making it ideal for creating green screens or adding vertical interest to gardens.

• Foliage:

  • The plant features compound leaves made up of five oval-shaped leaflets, each about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) long. The leaflets are a deep green, sometimes with a slight bluish tint, and they turn purple or bronze in cooler weather.
  • The foliage provides a lush, tropical appearance and remains attractive throughout the growing season.

• Flowers:

  • Akebia quinata produces clusters of small, fragrant flowers in spring, usually from March to May. The flowers are typically a dusky purple or chocolate color, hence the name "Chocolate Vine."
  • The flowers have a sweet, slightly spicy fragrance that can be especially noticeable on warm days. Male and female flowers are borne on the same plant but in separate clusters.

• Fruit:

  • In late summer to early fall, the plant produces unique, elongated, sausage-shaped fruits that are typically purplish-pink and can be up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.
  • When ripe, the fruit splits open to reveal a white, jelly-like pulp filled with black seeds. The pulp is edible and has a sweet taste, though it is not commonly eaten outside of its native regions.
  • The fruit adds ornamental interest to the plant, but in cooler climates, fruiting may be less common.

• Light and Soil Requirements:

  • Akebia quinata prefers full sun to partial shade. It will produce more flowers and fruit in full sun but can tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates.
  • It thrives in well-draining soil and is adaptable to a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil but is quite tolerant of different pH levels.

• Watering:

  • The plant prefers regular watering, especially during the growing season. However, once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.
  • Avoid overwatering, as Akebia quinata does not like to sit in waterlogged soil.

• Care