Akebia quinata var. Rosea

A climbing plant of great uniqueness, Akebia quinata Rosea, also known as five-leafed Akebia, forms beautiful clusters of soft pink flowers in spring, which are highly fragrant.  This is followed by ornamental, semi-evergreen, very graphic foliage. This hardy variety appreciates fresh but well-drained, fertile soils, and a sunny position.

This lovely plant with woody stems, native to the temperate forests of Japan, Korea or China, belongs to the Lardizabalaceae family. It will reach a height of 6 to 8 m (20 to 26ft) with a spread of 3 m (10ft), with a rather fast growth. Akebia quinata var. Rosea bears, from April to May, beautiful trailing clusters adorned with bell-shaped flowers, 8-10cm (3-4in) in length, in a soft pink colour. A monoecious plant, it bears both male and female flowers on the same plant in clusters, with the female flowers being larger. This highly nectariferous flowering releases a vanilla scent. However, the plant is not self-fertile and requires the presence of a nearby second plant to produce fruits. The fruits appear during a hot summer. They have the shape of large swollen and curved beans, in a turquoise blue colour. Although edible, they have a not very flavourful white flesh, surrounding large black seeds.

The semi-evergreen or deciduous foliage, depending on the climate, is very ornamental. It consists of 5 medium green obovate-elliptical leaflets, it flourishes in spring, during the end of flowering, and takes on reddish tones in autumn.

With its exotic appearance, Akebia quinata Rosea is a climbing plant of excellent hardiness, tolerating frost of around -13°C (8.6°F) to -18°C (-0.4°F) in mature specimens. It clings to its support with its stems equipped with tendrils and can be planted on a pergola, a wall, or in a tree alongside a climbing rose or an evergreen honeysuckle, preferably in a sheltered and sunny location.