five-leaved akebia
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edible fruit, fragrant, screen, ground cover, sun - part shade
Japan, China, Korea
A vigorous, densely foliaged twining vine. Climbs readily, but can also be used as a ground cover. Compound, leathery leaves are unusual in appearance. Evergreen in mild climates. Tolerant of partial shade. The clusters of fragrant, lilac-purple flowers appear in May. Fruit is a 2-7" long pod which turns purple and splits open when ripe in September or October. Inside is a core of edible white pulp which tastes somewhat like tapioca pudding with seeds. In order to obtain fruit it is necessary to plant two or more vines. Hand cross-pollination will likely result in heaviest fruit production (much fruit can be set as a result of a few minutes of hand-pollination). The vines in our planting,, which are about 15' apart, usually set fairly good crops of fruit without hand-pollination, however.
4¼" pot, cat # 1P1D1 $14.95 each / 3+, $14.50 ea.
½ gal., cat # 1P1D2 $19.95 each.
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