Akebia quinata

Akebia quinata (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Lardizabalaceae

Akebia quinata is a fast growing woody semi evergreen climber with a twining habit. Its bright green leaves are composed of five leaflets. Each leaflet is obovate with entire margins, up to 5cm long and 2.5cm across. Its red/ purple monoecious fragrant flowers appear as racemes and are not self fertile. Its purple fruits are ovoid, up to 8cm long, 4cm broad, appear in autumn and split open to reveal fleshy pulp.

Akebia quinata Flower (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Akebia quinata, commonly known as Chocolate Vine or Five Leaf Akebia, is native to China, Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows at forest margins, near streams and in scrub. This plant is prohibited from sale and commercial propagation in New Zealand.

The etymological root of the binomial name Akebia is derived from the Japanese Akebi, the name for this plant. Quinata is derived from the Latin quinque meaning ‘five’.

he landscape architect may find Akebia quinata useful as a wall or trellis trained climber, it requires climbing supports.

Ecologically, Akebia quinata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds and mammals.

Akebia quinata Leaf (23/04/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society have given the variety Akebia quinata ‘White Chocolate’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Akebia quinata prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Akebia quinata requires little maintenance. Pruning, if necessary, should be carried out after flowering.



Landscape Architecture

Decaisnea fargesii

Decaisnea fargesii (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 7m

Eventual Spread: 7m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Lardizabalaceae

Decaisnea fargesii is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with a spreading habit. Its mid green leaves are odd pinnate, have up to 25 leaflets, are up to 90cm long and 25cm broad. Its leaflets are elliptic with entire margins, up to 15cm long and 10cm broad. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 20cm. Its monoecious yellow/ green flowers are up to 6cm across and appear as drooping panicles which are up to 50cm long. Its fruit is a green/ yellow pod which are up to 10cm long and 3cm broad, these mature to a blue black colour and appear in autumn.

Decaisnea fargesii Leaf (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Decaisnea fargesii, commonly known as Dead Man’s Fingers, Blue Sausage Tree or Blue Bean Tree, is native to east Asia including China, Nepal and Burma. In its native habitat it grows in thickets and woodlands on mountain slopes and river banks.

The etymological root of the binomial name Decaisnea was named after Joseph Decaisne (1809–1882), a  French botanist. Fargesii is named after Pere Paul Guillaume Farges (1844-1912) who discovered this plant.

The landscape architect may find Decaisnea fargesii useful as a large shrub with ornamental fruit.

Decaisnea fargesii Pods (28/09/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Decaisnea fargesii pulp from its fruit is eaten by some birds and mammals.

Decaisnea fargesii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Decaisnea fargesii requires little maintenance.

Akebia trifoliata

Akebia trifoliata (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 9m

Eventual Spread: 6m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Lardizabalaceae

Akebia trifoliata is a fast growing deciduous climber/ wall shrub. Its mid green leaves are composed of thee leaflets. Each leaflet is ovate with entire margins. Its dark purple monoecious flowers appear as short racemes and are not self fertile. Its pale purple fruits are ovoid, up to 12cm long, 4cm broad, appear in autumn and split open to reveal fleshy pulp.

Akebia trifoliata Leaf (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Akebia trifoliata, commonly known as the Three Leaf Akebia, is native to China, Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in semi deciduous forests and forest margins.

The etymological root of the binomial name Akebia is derived from the Japanese Akebi, the name for this plant. Trifoliata is derived from the Latin meaning ‘three leaved’.

Akebia trifoliata Flower (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Akebia trifoliata useful as a wall trained shrub or climber, it requires climbing supports.

Ecologically, Akebia trifoliata fruit are attractive to some birds and mammals.

Akebia trifoliata prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Akebia trifoliata requires little maintenance. Pruning, if necessary, should be carried out after flowering.