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Climber Wall Shrub

Akebia × pentaphylla

five-leaf akebia

A vigorous, hardy, semi-evergreen climber with attractive foliage and dark red-purple, chocolate-scented flowers. It is a naturally occuring hybrid between A. quinata and A. trifoliata

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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Red Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical 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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in any good garden soil, but resents root disturbance. Avoid east-facing positions to reduce risk of frost damage to young growth

Propagation

Propagate by layering or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • 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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