Bloemen-flowers Akebia quinata - Chocolate Vine

• Article number: AKEQUI01

Akebia quinata is also known as chocolate vine. The Akebia originates from Eastern Asia and is found here mostly on hills, between hedges and around trees. The fruits are eaten directly from the plant when they're found here.

Akebia is a fast growing plant that can climb up to heights of 10 meter or more. Pruning however can be done quite easily as it starts growing fast. This means the plant can be kept smaller very easily.
The color of the inflorescence is purple / brown, these smell wonderfully sweet.
This easy-going plant likes to stand in slightly damp soil and watering in time will benefit the growth in the summer.
The oval leaves will hang in a mild winter and discolored nicely in purple.
If the winter becomes more severe, the plant loses its leaves. The wooden tendrils also discolour purple / brown.

The Akebia quinata can bear fruit in a good summer. These are elongated to oval in shape. For good pollination the preference is to put two plants together (some plants only produce fruit).
The fruits are between 5-10 cm long and up to 4 cm thick, they turn to violet / purple when they are ripe.
The fruits can be eaten fresh, they are nice and sweet but do not have much flavor.
To add some flavor to this, lemon juice can be a godsend.
The bitter skin tastes very tasty.
Winter hardiness zone 6b (-20ºC).