Drink in the fragrance in summer; harvest the
dessert in fall! Very fragrant, lilac-purple flowers
come in May through June and smell like
chocolate. Use this Japanese native as a climber
or a ground cover—it looks great on trellises,
arbors and fences. Very hardy (zones 4-9), this
unusual vine produces exotic leathery leaves and
large seedpods which are ripe in September to
October. The edible pulp of the pods tastes
somewhat like tapioca pudding! Prefers full sun
to partial shade. Akebia quinata
Zones: 4-9 Shipped in 3" Pots Full Sun to Partial Shade Deer resistant.
Product Details
Botanical Name: Akebia quinata
Form: Vine or ground cover
Sun Exposure: Partial Shade/Full Sun
Height/Habit: 4-6'
Spread: 4-6'
Spacing: 4-6'
Hardiness Zone: zones 4-9
Foliage Type: Unusual looking leathery leaves, evergreen in mild climates
Flower Form: Small lilac-purple flowers with 3 petals, held in groups of 2 to 5 flowers. Separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
Flower Color: Lilac-purple
Flowering Date: Late spring to early summer.
Planting Requirements: Best in full sun or part shade, no special needs
Soil Requirements: normal soil is fine, no special needs
Growth Rate: Moderate
Unique Characteristics: Very fragrant, can be used as climber or as ground cover, very hardy, produces large seed pods which are ripe in early fall. The pulp which tasts somewhat like tapioca pudding is edible.
Pruning: Prune in Spring after flowering if needed
Time of Pruning: After flowering in late Spring
Additional Information: Plant produces male and female flowers on the same vine.
