The Stauntonia hexaphylla is a lush vine and persistent suitable for most of temperate climates. This Japanese and Korean species is distinguished by its beautiful lobed foliage, a brilliant dark green, somewhat reminiscent of that of chestnut. Its extraordinarily fragrant spring bloom takes the form of small white-cream bells that tinge with purplish over the hours...
The Stauntonia hexaphylla is a lush vine and persistent suitable for most of temperate climates. This Japanese and Korean species is distinguished by its beautiful lobed foliage, a brilliant dark green, somewhat reminiscent of that of chestnut. Its extraordinarily fragrant spring bloom takes the form of small white-cream bells that tinge with purplish over the hours. Some edible fruits, juicy and purple, are produced during the hottest summers. This exuberant plant will bring an exotic touch and a lot of character to the shady areas of the garden.
Stauntonia hexaphylla description:
Stauntonia hexaphylla belongs to the family Lardizabalaceae. This monoecious climber (with male and female flowers dissociated on the same subject) is native to southern Japan and Korea, where it grows in dense lowland forests.
It is a persistent woody liana, which will reach 10 m in height, for 3 to 4 m wide. Its growth is fast. Young twigs and stems are green and striated, older branches covered with rough gray-brown bark. Its leaves are composed of 6-7 oval leaflets -oblong to elliptic, 6-10 cm long and 2.5-4.5 cm wide, each borne by a long peduncle. They are amber in spring, dark bluish green, shiny, and have a leathery appearance.
This plant produces in early spring flowers either male or female, of different appearance. The female flowers are greenish-white, with sepals slightly streaked with purple, the male flowers are more colorful. They are all deliciously scented and are in the form of bell-shaped bells 4 cm long, consisting only of sepals, waxy texture. The flowers are grouped in bouquets. The bloom is followed in hot weather by the formation in the autumn of some purple fruits of 5 to 6 cm in length, oval and verrucous, edible, very popular in Japan.
Grow and care Stauntonia hexaphylla:
Install the Stauntonia hexaphylla in a semi-shaded or shaded place in a warm climate, well sheltered and protected from prevailing winds, a plant installed in the ground for several years will withstand the cold better (down to -8 ° C peak). This species seems to tolerate a relative dryness once well established. Plant it in a well-drained soil, fertile and rich in humus, poor in limestone and remaining quite cool. Slice as the plant grows. Water regularly especially in hot, dry weather.
The best time to plantation is April to May. The Stauntonia does not require a particular pruning, you can shorten it to contain its vigorous growth. A trick: prune young shoots to just 2 or 3 leaves, because that's where the next year's flowers will appear!
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