Akebia trifoliata

Bloom Color: Purple, Red
Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Variable height, Variable spread.

Akebia trifoliata is a deciduous Climber growing to 9 m at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious .
Suitable for: light , medium and heavy soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic soils. It can grow in full shade semi-shade or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Landscape Uses:Arbor. Requires a well-drained moisture-retentive loamy soil. Succeeds in acid or alkaline soils. Prefers partial shade but succeeds in full sun. Grows well on a north facing wall. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c but they can be somewhat tender when young. Another report says that this species is not as hardy as A. quinata, only tolerating temperatures down to -10°c. 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. This species grows very well in S.W. England. Resentful of root disturbance, either grow plants in containers prior to planting them out or plant them out whilst very young. Plants are evergreen in mild winters. Fast growing, it can be invasive. It grows well on deciduous trees. Plants are not normally pruned, if they are growing too large they can be cut back by trimming them with shears in early spring. Plants are shy to fruit, they possibly require some protection in the flowering season, hand pollination is advisable. Plants are probably self-sterile, if possible at least 2 plants should be grown, each from a different source. The flowers are sweetly scented. The fruits are sold in local markets in Japan. The ssp. A. trifoliata australis. Rehd. is used medicinally in China. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:
Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.