Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), also known as five leaf akebia, is a highly fragrant, vanilla scented vine that is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. This deciduous semi-evergreen plant reaches its mature height of 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m.) rapidly, and produces beautiful lilac flowers from May through June.

Is akebia quinata deciduous?

Broadleaf deciduous (evergreen in mild areas) vine or ground cover, 20-40 ft (6-12 m), monoecious.

Does chocolate vine grow in shade?

This vine grows happily in shade, partial shade, and full sun. … Chocolate vines grow quickly, shooting up to 40 feet(12 m.) in one growing season. The vine produces fruit with seeds that are distributed by birds.

How do you take care of chocolate vines?

Provide weekly watering until vines are established, then water during periods of drought so that plants get at least 1 inch of water per week. The chocolate vine will do best in temperatures between 55 to 85 degrees F. In the harsh winter weather, it may lose its leaves but will regrow in the spring.

Does chocolate vine need trellis?

Unless you are growing chocolate vine as a ground cover, it will need a sturdy support structure to support it as it climbs. If you wish to grow the fruits, plant at least two vines to increase the chances of pollination and fruiting.

What is a semi-evergreen plant?

Semi-evergreen Plants such as Cotoneaster horizontalis and Hydrangea quercifolia, are ditherers – they drop their leaves in cold winters but keep them if it is mild. Beech and hornbeam hedges retain their old dead leaves until the following spring.

Are there any evergreen vines?

English Ivy (Hedera helix) – Hardy in zones 4-9, full sun-shade, evergreen. … Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) – Hardy in zones 6-9, part shade-shade, evergreen. Tangerine Beauty Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) – Hardy in zones 6-9, full sun, may be semi-evergreen in zone 6.

Will Akebia grow in shade?

All Akebia vines are fast-growing to around 25-30′, grow in sun or shade, and are hardy to Zone 5-6.

Does chocolate vine attract hummingbirds?

Narrow, 2” long, tubular, red flowers are borne in clusters at the end of branches. The flowers produce copious nectar and attract hummingbirds. The red berries are eaten by birds.

Is Akebia vine Evergreen?

Vigorously spreading, Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine) is a dainty semi-evergreen, twining, woody vine with dangling racemes of small, wine-red flowers with a spicy, chocolate fragrance in spring. The blooms stand out against the bright green foliage of elliptic leaflets which becomes purple flushed in cold weather.

Article first time published on

Is chocolate vine invasive?

Also known as five-leaf akebia, this is an unusual and attractive exotic vine that was imported around 1845 for ornamental purposes. It has been reported to be invasive throughout the mid-Atlantic to Kentucky with scattered occurrences elsewhere.

Why is the chocolate vine invasive?

Due to its shade- and drought-tolerance, it can invade an array of habitats but prefers full to partial sun areas with well-drained soils. Chocolate vine was brought over from Asia as an ornamental species in the mid-1800s. It primarily spreads vegetatively, though birds can disperse seeds when fruits are produced.

What clematis is evergreen?

The most popular evergreen clematis are the spring-flowering Clematis montana, but other evergreen clematis include the winter-flowering Clematis cirrhosa and varieties including Clematis ‘Fragrant Oberon’, and Clematis urophylla ‘Winter Beauty’.

Is chocolate vine bad for dogs?

Climbing plants safe for dogs There’s plenty of fantastic climbers out there that are safe for your canine companion. For example, you could take your pick from jasmine, climbing roses, star jasmine, Madagascar jasmine, and chocolate vine.

How do you look after Akebia quinata?

After a particularly warm summer, large sausage-shaped fruit dangle enticingly from the stems. Grow Akebia quinata in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, ideally with some shelter provided. Alternatively grow it in a conservatory or greenhouse.

Do deer eat chocolate vines?

It has never been grazed by deer or rabbits in our garden. Although it can grow in full sun, it prefers partial shade and moist soil. Some areas consider this beautiful and useful Akebia quinata an invasive plant.

Can you eat chocolate vine fruit?

An Asian plant, Akebia quinata, it is called the chocolate vine because of its springtime vanilla-scented flowers. This edible curiosity is cultivated for food in Japan. It is hard to believe that this large fat fruit is produced from such small purple flowers.

Is there a vine that stays green year round?

If you’re looking for an evergreen vine with fragrant, showy flowers, star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) may be the ideal choice. Star jasmine blooms during spring and into the summer, showing off its star-shaped, aromatic blooms. The stems grow 18 to 20 feet long and require support — a fence would work well.

What are the best evergreen climbers?

• Chocolate vine, Akebia quinata.
• Californian lilac, Ceanothus.
• Clematis armandii.
• Winter-flowering clematis, Clematis cirrhosa.
• Climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea seemannii.
• English ivy, Hedera helix.
• Euonymus ‘Silver Queen’

What are the fastest growing evergreen vines?

Pink jasmine thrives in full sun and is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10. Luminous white, star-shaped, fragrant clusters of white flowers adorn the vines of evergreen clematis (Clematis armandii) throughout spring. This fast-growing evergreen vine reaches lengths of 20 to 25 feet.

What are evergreen deciduous trees?

Summary – Deciduous vs Evergreen Trees Deciduous and evergreen trees are the two main types of trees. Deciduous trees shed their leaves seasonally while evergreen trees retain their leaves through the year. … However, they can tolerate cold and dry weather conditions in contrast to evergreen trees.

Can a plant be deciduous and evergreen?

Plants may be labeled as semi-evergreen for a variety of reasons. They are commonly called such when they fall between evergreen and deciduous in terms of growth. For example, they may shed their foliage for a very short time in late winter, rejuvenating rather quickly.

What are trees called that keep their leaves all year?

Evergreen is a name for trees that keep their leaves all year long. Pine, Spruce, Holly and Fir trees are all evergreen trees. They are grown for lots of different reasons: for shade, for their fruit such as cones (pinecones) and for Christmas trees.

Is akebia quinata an evergreen?

Buy Akebia quinata chocolate vine: Beautiful maroon-chocolate flowers with an exotic spicy fragrance. This climber is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.

Is there a non invasive trumpet vine?

An equally showy alternative to this annoying plant is the non-invasive trumpet honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens. This semi-evergreen twining climber—great for arbors and trellises – is native to the United States and hardy in zones 3-9.

Are trumpet vines annuals or perennials?

This perennial will give you flowers and attract swarms of hummingbirds all summer, but you’ll need to watch that it doesn’t take over your yard.

How do you plant Chocolate vine seeds?

Place up to three chocolate vine seeds on the soil surface of each pot. Space the seeds 1 inch apart. Lightly press the seeds into the soil with your finger to keep them steady. Avoid covering the seeds with soil, because they need light exposure to germinate.

Is akebia quinata edible?

Edible. The rind is edible, but is slightly bitter. The pulp is edible and makes a tropical tasting clear jelly or flavorful drink. The soft shoots are used in salads or for salt pickling.

What is honeysuckle vine?

The honeysuckle vine is a common, simple-to-grow climber that’s available in many varieties. Vines can also be planted as ground cover, but they’re most often trellis-trained to cover walls and structures. Honeysuckle Shrubs.

What does chocolate vine fruit look like?

Green Deane’s Itemized Plant Profile: The Chocolate Vine. IDENTIFICATION: Akebia quinata , a twining vine green when young, turning brown with age, lenticels noticeable. … The dangling flowers produce fruit that resemble little egg plants. Seed pods purplish with white pulp, black seeds.

Does akebia quinata need support?

The soil is important, the vine loves, well-drained sandy loam soil. The Vine thrives in full sun, and as it is a climber, it needs support.