Akebia quinata also called as chocolate vine, five-leaf chocolate vine, five-leaf akebia, Rajania quinata, is a species in the genus Akebia. It makes an attractive cover for trash piles, larger arbors, pergollas, trellises, and large chainlink fences. It can be a prized vine or a weedy nuisance, depending upon one's perspective.
Akebia quinata also called as chocolate vine, five-leaf chocolate vine, five-leaf akebia, Rajania quinata, is a species in the genus Akebia. It makes an attractive cover for trash piles, larger arbors, pergollas, trellises, and large chain-link fences. It can be a prized vine or a weedy nuisance, depending upon one's perspective.
IDENTIFY AKEBIA QUINATA - FIVE-LEAF AKEBIA
Akebia quinata is native to China, Japan, and Korea, but has naturalized in some locations in the Southeastern U.S. and Europe. It grows near forest margins along streams, as scrub on mountain slopes at 300 - 1500 m elevation, in most of the provinces through which the Yellow River flows.
Under favorable conditions Five-leaf Akebia can become a dense mass of twining woody vine engulfing smaller structures upon which it climbs; at other times it is almost shrub-like, but mostly it is a 30' to 40' vine with slender, twisting, cylindrical stems bearing small, round lenticels on the grayish brown surface. Bud scales are light reddish-brown with an imbricate arrangement. The alternate, palmate leaves are divided into approximately five oval leaflets, 1½ to 3 inches long, with a purplish tinge that become blue-green at maturity.
Chocolate vine blooms in April to May. The flowers have three scoop-shaped chocolate purple, purplish rose, to maroon colored petaloid sepals and are borne in small axillary racemes on old wood. Hidden in the foliage, the flowers which tend to open at night, are only of minor visual effectiveness, but are valued for their strong vanilla fragrance.
Appearing from June to August, oblong or elliptic purplish fruits split open when mature, revealing dark, brownish, flat seeds arranged irregularly in rows. The fruit contains a sweet soft pulp resembling a white dragon-fruit, eaten primarily in Japan as a seasonal delicacy. The rind, with a slight bitter taste, is used as vegetable, e.g., stuffed with ground meat and deep-fried..
AKEBIA QUINATA - FIVE-LEAF AKEBIA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Akebia quinata prefers a partially shaded spot in the garden. Although the plant will grow in full sun, it does best with protection from the afternoon heat.
Temperature:
This plant grows well in zones 4-8 and can survive the temperature of -10 ⁰F. They do best in temperatures between 55 to 85 ⁰F. In the harsh winter weather, it may lose its leaves but will regrow in the spring.
Substrate and growing media:
Five-leaf Akebia is easily grown in most soils but do best in well-drained sandy loams with a high percentage of organic matter, but resents root disturbance.
It is best used where it can be allowed to climb a strong structure alone; placement near pedestrian traffic will allow appreciation of the more subtle effects of flowers and fruit when they occur.
Watering:
Water deeply when the soil has completely dried out. This plant can survive a light drought. The main mistake people make when trying to grow Akebia quinata is over-watering it.
Fertilizer:
Although it’s not really necessary, you can use an all purpose fertilizer during the growing season to promote healthy plants and many blooms.
Pruning:
To keep Akebia quinata from getting too large, simply prune it back once or twice a year to keep it the size you want it. When the flowers are developing in the early spring, they are often hidden by the large palmate leaves. This would be an ideal time to prune your plant so that you get more enjoyment out of the delicate and potent flowers.
Propagation:
Five-leaf Akebia are easily propagated by semi ripe cuttings in summer but tendrils of new growth from the base of the plant can readily be layered as well.
The plants can also be propagated by seeds. Best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15 °C. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
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