Plant Min Zone: 4a
Plant Max Zone: 8a
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade, Deep Shade
Water / Rainfall: Average
Soil Quality: Average
Bloom Season: Spring
Flower Color: Mauve, Reddish Purple, Maroon
Berry / Fruit Color: Reddish Purple
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: Some
Winter Interest: Some
Scented Flowers: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Rocky Soils
Height: 6' - 25'
Width: 3' - 6'
Growth Rate: Medium, Fast
Service Life: Very Long: 10-20 years
Maintenance Need: High
Spreading Potential: Medium
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Vines as Needed / Training May be Needed.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Root-Bound Soils Under Tree, Survives Severe Drought
Ornamental Features: Emerges Early in Spring, Long Lasting Fall Color
Special Landscape Uses: Noise / Wind Screening, Groundcover
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Aggressive Rhizomes / Runners, Needs Frequent Pruning / Trimming
Five leaf Akebia (Akebia quinata) is a twining vine with green leaves arranged in a palmate shape. Maroon to purple flowers have the slight aroma of chocolate and bloom early in the spring. As with most vines, they are not low maintenance due to their nature and purpose in life. Vines by nature are kind of like freeloaders that want to use other things (and other plants) for free support. This does not directly parasitize the tree but can add a lot of weight (storm damage) and shade out it's foliage. It requires training to grow on some structures but will generally twine and try to grow to the highest point possible. When properly trained on a trellis or pergola, akebia can be amazing. It will grow in just about any soil and tolerate full shade to full sun. It may be used as a groundcover if nothing to climb on or an edible plant if you pollinate the flowers by hand. There are varieties available that when crossed, produce edible fruit. Akebia is invasive in some parts of the country but this is not the case in Kansas. Blooms occur in march or april very early when frosts are still occurring but with little damage to the plant. Foliage is persistent and semi evergreen until 10-15 degrees F.