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    • Photo of Akebia trifoliata flower, foliage by Kenpei

    Photo by Kenpei

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Akebia trifoliata

    Also Known As

    • Threeleaf Akebia

    Plant type

    vine

    size

    • H: 15'-25'
    • W: 5'-25'

    planting zones

    • 6a-10b

    More Options

    Akebia trifoliata plant details

    Akebia trifoliata is a broadleaf semi-evergreen vine with green foliage. In spring black and red flowers emerge followed by blue fruit. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Akebia trifoliata

    Plant type: vine
    Plant family: lardizabalaceae
    Foliage: semi-evergreen green
    Mature size: 5 FT - 25 FT - wide, 15 FT - 25 FT - tall
    Flowers: black and red blooms in spring

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Akebia trifoliata

    USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
    Resistant to: heat and humidity
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Known as Chocolate Vine, this spectacular climber boasts ?? dark maroon flowers that smell of vanilla which are followed by sweet edible fruit (Hinkley describes a yummy sounding translucent grub like edible mass filled with seeds). A hardy member of the lardizabulacaea, the Koreans use it to flavor soju. We'll stick to sniffing the flowers and admiring the highly ornamental trifoliate foliage.

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    Blackish red flowers in early spring on bare vines that can grow to 25'. Clean trifoliate leaves in summer are adorned with lavender blue fruit in fall.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Akebia trifoliata plant

    How to Grow Akebia trifoliata

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - occasional

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • red
      • black

    • Wildlife

      • bees

    • Fruit

      • blue

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • semi-evergreen

    Landscape groups by tags

    See other plant types of Akebia for your garden

    Akebia longeracemosa 'Victor's Secret'

    aka Victor's Secret Chocolate Vine

    Plant Type

    Vine

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 8'-10'

    Width: 3'-10'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Akebia longeracemosa 'Victor's Secret' by Patricia Cunningham
    View Plant

    Akebia quinata

    aka Chocolate Vine, Fiveleaf Akebia

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Vine

    Zones

    5a-10b

    Size

    Height: 20'-40'

    Width: 1'-40'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Akebia quinata foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    More Options

    Akebia quinata 'Alba'

    aka Alba Chocolate Vine, Alba Fiveleaf Akebia, White Fiveleaf Akebia

    Plant Type

    Vine

    Zones

    5a-10b

    Size

    Height: 25'-40'

    Width: 5'-40'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Akebia quinata 'Alba' flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    Akebia quinata 'Rosea'

    aka Akebia quinata rosea, Chocolate Vine, Rosea Fiveleaf Akebia

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Vine

    Zones

    5a-10b

    Size

    Height: 15'-30'

    Width: 5'-30'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Akebia quinata 'Rosea' flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Akebia quinata 'Shirobana'

    aka Akebia quinata 'Shiro Bana', Shiro Bana White-Flowered Chocolate Vine, Shirobana Five-Leaf Akebia

    Plant Type

    Vine

    Zones

    5a-10a

    Size

    Height: 15'-20'

    Width: 8'-10'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Akebia quinata 'Shirobana' flower by Almost Eden
    View Plant

    More Options

    +8 more Akebia
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