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Holboellia traversii - China Bluebell

Holboellia traversii
China Bluebell, Sausage Vine

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One wonders why this small Asian climbing plant is not more often offered for sale. Quite hardy, adorned with evergreen foliage throughout the seasons, it offers a long, discreet spring flowering, but remarkably fragrant, with male and female flowers that look different. Edible purple fruits are produced during the hottest summers. It is a very pretty climber, easy to grow in well-drained, rich, humus-rich soil, in full sun or partial shade.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
2.75 m
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -12°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to May
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Flowering time May to July
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Description

Holboellia traversii is the most discreet species in this genus of Asian climbing plants related to Akebia. However, it is as hardy as it is decorative, first with its long, delightfully scented spring to summer flowering, and then with its beautiful tough foliage that persists all year round. Its male and female flowers have different appearances, with a slightly pinkish mauve or greenish-white colour. In the hottest summers, they produce edible fruits that resemble small purple sausages. In the garden, it climbs without suffocating the surrounding bushes, and its moderate growth also allows it to be grown in a container for many years. So many reasons to adopt this small climber, capable of perfuming a whole section of the garden or terrace for several weeks.

Holboellia traversii belongs to the family of Lardizabalaceae. The 5 species in the genus Holboellia are native to Chinese and Himalayan mountain forests. They are little-known but robust climbers that prefer partial shade at the base and full sun at the top, and they tolerate any well-drained soil rich in humus, without excessive limestone, even fairly dry in summer once they are well established.

Holboellia traversii hybrid 'Travers' is one of the least vigorous, but also one of the most cold-resistant, down to -20°C. This woody climber will not exceed 3m in height and 1m in width in our gardens. Its growth rate is moderate. Its leaves are compound, consisting of 3 elliptical to ovate elliptical leaflets, measuring 6 to 10cm in length and 4 to 5cm in width. They are more or less tough and glossy, dark green. This plant produces either male or female flowers, with different appearances, from May to July. The small female, greenish-white flowers, emerge at the base of new shoots, while the more numerous male flowers, slightly pinkish mauve, appear at the ends of twisting branches. They are all delightfully scented and have bell-shaped flowers measuring 1 to 1.6mm in length, consisting only of waxy sepals. The flowers are grouped in clusters. The flowering is followed by the formation of a few purple, oval fruits measuring 4-5cm in length in autumn, which are edible if they ripen.

Holboellia traversii joyfully winds itself up to the top of bushes, perfuming the air several metres around for nearly 2 months. It withstands our winters perfectly and remains beautiful all year round. By training the twining stems as they grow, this plant can be used to cover a trellis on the terrace or the branches of a small tree that becomes bare in winter. It can accompany easy-to-grow small clematis (alpina, integrifolia, viticella, 'Rebecca', tangutica Golden Tiara) or blend in with the flowering of Japanese honeysuckles.

Holboellia traversii - China Bluebell in pictures

Holboellia traversii - China Bluebell (Flowering) Flowering

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.75 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour mauve
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 2 cm
Fragrance Fragrant, Flowered, orange blossom
Fruit colour violet

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Holboellia

Species

traversii

Family

Lardizabalaceae

Other common names

China Bluebell, Sausage Vine

Origin

West Asia

Product reference856651

Other Holboellia

3
From 18,50 € 2L/3L pot

Planting and care

Plant Holboellia traversii in an open location protected from prevailing winds. The plant will flower more when the head is in the sun but the base is slightly shaded, similar to a clematis. However, it can also adapt to partial shade and even shady situations. Plant it in a well-drained, fertile soil rich in humus, without excessive limestone. Once established, Holboellia can tolerate dry summers.

Cultivating it in a pot is easy. Lighten the substrate by incorporating clay pellets or gravel at the bottom of the pot or planting hole. For example, the mixture could consist of 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 garden soil, and 1/3 compost. Train the plant as it grows. Water regularly, especially in hot and dry weather. Holboellia does not require any specific pruning, but you can lightly prune it after flowering, in July.

Planting period

Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to May
Type of support Arch, Tree, Trellis

Intended location

Suitable for Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Container, Climbing
Hardiness Hardy down to -12°C (USDA zone 8a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, fertile, well-draining

Care

Pruning instructions Holboellia does not require any specific pruning, but you can lightly prune it after flowering, in July.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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