Akebia quinata - Chocolate Vine

Akebias are climbing plants that reach a height of 5 to 8m (16 to 26ft) with semi-evergreen foliage. The leaves, which are tough, are dark green on the top and blue-green on the underside, turning purple in winter.

They produce clusters of flowers with three original petals in a beautiful violet-purple colour. They bear male and female flowers on the same plant, allowing for fruiting in the form of small lilac eggs in late summer.

Akebias, originally from China and Japan, were introduced to Europe in the mid-19th century, where they enjoyed great success. After falling out of fashion for a few decades, they are now making a strong comeback. The lightness of their foliage and leaves allows them to be grown on a hedge, or as a complement to a tree or climbing rose.