Akebia quinata Silver Bells

A Climbing plant with a unique colour, Akebia quinata Silver Bells forms pretty clusters of silver-white and pale mauve flowers in spring, followed by ornamental foliage that is very graphic.

This pretty plant, also known as the Chocolate Vine, bears beautiful trailing clusters of flowers, 8-10cm (3-4in) in length, from April to May. A monoecious plant, Akebia quinata Silver Bells bears both male flowers in silver-white and pale mauve and female flowers in pale mauve, on the same plant. The plant is not self-fertile and requires the presence of a second plant nearby to produce fruits. The fruits are large swollen and arched beans, in a turquoise blue colour.

The deciduous foliage, is very decorative.  It is composed of 5 tender green leaflets that are obovate-elliptical in shape. It blooms in spring, during the end of the flowering period, and turns reddish in autumn.

Originating from temperate regions of Asia (China, Korea, Japan), Akebia quinata with its exotic appearance is a climbing plant of excellent hardiness that can tolerate temperatures as low as -13°C (8.6°F) to -18°C (-0.4°F) in mature specimens.

Reaching a height of 6 to 8 metres (20 to 26 feet), Akebia quinata 'Silver Bells' can be planted on a pergola, a wall, or in a tree along with a climbing rose or an evergreen honeysuckle, preferably in partial shade.