Botanical Name: Akebia quinata
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Common Name: Fiveleaf Akebia  
Plant photo of: Akebia quinata
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Vine

 

Height Range

12-25', 25-40'

 

Flower Color

Pink, Purple

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Purple

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Full, Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

English Cottage, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Patio, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Screen

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Connon Nursery, JJ Neilso

  • Description

  • Notes

Fiveleaf Akebia is a vigorous, twining vine that grows 20 to 40 feet. It exhibits a delicate, woodsy look with dark blue-green palmate leaves and oval leaflets, which holds its color until they die and drop off with a hard freeze. Dark brownish-purple flowers appear in late March or early April, though they can be lost among the foliage. It does produce edible fruit, though for best fruit set, hand pollination is recommended. A lovely vine without the fruit, in any case, though again, quite vigorous.
Grow in sun or shade in nearly any soil except those being particularly wet. Is drought tolerant, and withholding water can help to control rampant growth. A good choice for trellises, arbors, pergolas, fences, and other structures; prune to control size.