Akebia quinata

Chocolate Vine is one of those plants with a bad reputation in the Midwest, but is an intriguing deciduous specimen here in the Pacific NW. Rapidly growing stems of five-fingered green leaves can possibly reach 20 to 40 feet in height and six to nine feet in width. Wine-red, springtime flowers have a chocolatey fragrance and may turn into sausage-shaped seed pods that will open to reveal black seeds in a white, edible pulp.
Make no mistake, Akebia needs to be held in check, as it can overtake neighboring plants and structures if left to its own devices. Heavy pruning after the flowers bloom will keep it under control. Pruning down to the ground in the late fall will help rejuvenate the vine. That said, Akebia quinata may work as a ground cover to control erosion on hillsides and large open spaces.

Common Name: Chocolate Vine, Five-leaf Akebia

Plant Type: Deciduous

Mature Size: 20 - 40 feet tall, 6 - 9 feet wide

Growth Rate: Fast

Cold Hardiness: -20°

Light:

• Full Sun
• Afternoon Sun
• Full Shade
• Dappled Sun
• Morning Sun

Foliage Color: Green

Bloom Color: Red

Bloom Time:

• Spring

Structure: Climbing

Characteristics:

• Attracts pollinators
• Deer-resistant
• Disease resistant

Photos: Real images, not stock photos

Please Note: When Ground Shipping is selected, plants will be shipped on the following Monday to help maintain the plant quality.