| Akebia quinata is a twining vine, reaching 20 to 40 feet tall, depending on the height of the structure it has to grow up. Also used as a vigorous groundcover. It is deciduous in northern climates, semi-evergreen in warmer climes. New foliage is purplish, matures in summer to an attractive blue-green, and the compound, palmate leaves persist late into fall. Small, fragrant, attractive flowers appear in early spring, but are somewhat lost in the foliage. The fruit is a purple fleshy pod, 2 to 4 inches long, ripening in the fall. Good vine for fast cover on trellises and fences, requires pruning to keep in check. Very adaptable and easy to establish; drought tolerant. Native to China and Korea. |
