Chocolate Vine - Akebia quinata - €13 per plant 
​150 seeds - €13 inc delivery 

Akebia quinata is a woody perennial that grows either as a twining vine or a ground cover. It comes into leaf in early spring and shortly after leafing is adorned with beautiful purple flowers that form edible fruit in August - September. For fruit production, it is best practice to grow two plants in order for cross pollination to occur.  The plant can grow in the shade and makes a good candidate for a vertical layer in the temperate forest garden. To order this plant please contact us. [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: E.China, Japan, Korea 
  • native habitat: Woods, hedges and thickets in mountainous areas. Forest margins along streams, scrub on mountain slopes at elevations of 300 - 1500 metres in China.
  • family: Lardizabalaceae

Predators

  • None known 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full shade - Semi-shade
  • soil pH: Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a -  8b
  • Needs a support structure upon which to grow unless grown as a ground cover.
  • For best fruit production, plant more than one vine to facilitate good cross-pollination.
  • The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun


Known hazards 

  • Is considered in some areas as invasive

Overview

  •  2nd yr seedling bare root 
  • Deciduous Climber growing to 12 m  at a fast rate
  • In flower from Apr to May, and the seeds ripen from Sep to Oct.
  • The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant)The plant is not self-fertile.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • Can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • Prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous climber 
  • layer : Vertical or Ground Layer
  • habit: climbing
  • height x width (m): 12m
  • years to bearing yield: 4 years  
  • productive life span: 

Products 

  • Leaf: mixed with other salads, used fresh and dry for tea. Used in herb vinegar mixtures. The summer leaves can be tough and bitter.
  • Fruit:The fruit has a delicate flavour and a soft, juicy texture. Lemon juice is sometimes added to the fruit to enhance the flavour. The bitter skin of the fruit is fried and eaten.
  • Medicinal: Taken internally, it controls bacterial and fungal infections and is used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, lack of menstruation and to improve lactation.
  • The peeled stems are very pliable and can be used in basket making
  • May also be sprawled over the ground as a ground cover

Functions, behaviours

  • Plants often self-layer when grown as ground cover.
  • An excellent ground cover for shady areas and woodland gardens.
  • Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus
  • Seeds of akebia may be dispersed by birds
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project