Akebia quinata 'Shirobana'
chocolate vine 'Shirobana'
'Shirobana' is a vigorous, semi-evergreen, twining climber with leaves comprising five oblong to oval, notchedleaflets. Clusters of spicy-scented, white flowers with pale purple centres borne in spring may be followed by pale, sausage-shaped fruit
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Purple White | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | Purple | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Lardizabalaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- Genus
Akebia are vigorous twining, semi-evergreen climbing shrubs, with attractive palmate or trifoliate leaves and racemes of cup-shaped purplish female and smaller male flowers, followed by large, sausage-shaped fruits, if cross-pollinated by another clone
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
A climber that thrives in most situations, but resents root disturbance
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 11 after flowering
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
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