Kadsura japonica

Kadsura japonica or Japanese Kadsura is a little-known botanical species that deserves more recognition. It is an evergreen climbing plant with oval, green, shiny, thick leaves that turn red in autumn and can hide an unsightly wall all year round. In summer, it is adorned with small solitary pendulous bell-shaped flowers in light yellow, followed by red berries in autumn on female plants. Hardy down to -15°C, it prefers partial shade or non-scorching sun in fertile, not too dry, well-drained soil.

Kadsura japonica, native to forests in eastern and southeastern Asia, belongs to the Schisandraceae family. It is a semi-evergreen to evergreen, vigorous climber with twining stems that can reach up to 3m in height, with relatively fast growth. Its glossy and variegated dark green foliage has oval and lanceolate, slightly toothed leaves measuring 5 to 10cm long. The new shoots are beautifully tinged with purplish pink, as is the entire foliage in cold weather. Its small pendulous cup-shaped, solitary flowers, measuring 2cm in diameter, are creamy yellow and slightly fragrant, resembling those of some Magnolias. They bloom in the axils of the leaves from June to August. As a dioecious species, a male and a female plant are necessary for fruiting. On female plants, after flowering, pendant fruits appear in the leaf axils. They are bright red and resemble blackberries, measuring 3 to 4cm in diameter.

This superb climber is vigorous without being invasive, ready to climb a wall, fence, trellis, pergola, arbour, wire fence, or any other structure of your choice. It can even climb a pole or a sturdy small tree, as long as it is away from the scorching sun. Although quite hardy, it is best to choose a location sheltered from cold winter winds. The Japanese Kadsura is ideal for covering and concealing an unsightly wall or fence all year round, whether or not it is associated with other climbers, such as Clematis, a climbing Fuchsia, a Schizophragma, or even a summer Wisteria.