Akebia quinata

Akebia quinata is a decorative, twining climber with attractive semi-evergreen to deciduous leaves and intriguing flowers. The leaves are divided into five leaflets. The flowers appear in clusters of purple and mauve and smell like chocolate and vanilla, hence the common name chocolate vine. Photo: Wikipedia.

Racemes of fragrant red-purple flowers in spring are followed by 3" sausage shaped fruits on a large (20-30') vine with handsome 5-?fingered? foliage; ?sure to excite comment? (K. Beckett). S-PSh/M

Akebia quinata, commonly known as chocolate vine or five-leaf akebia, is a vine that is native to Japan, China and Korea. Chocolate vine quickly grows to 30 ft or more in length and is semi-deciduous, losing its leaves only in areas where temperatures reliably fall below 15 degrees. This plant’s namesake comes from the chocolate-scented, pendulous flowers which occur in spring. Flowers eventually yield an edible fruit which has the unique character of splitting open when ripe along a seam, revealing the sweet gelatinous pulp and seeds. While we can’t attest to the flavor, supposedly the skin of the fruit is also eaten as a vegetable in Japan, included in fried dishes. Note that Akebia vines are not self-fruitful and require a pollinator, but are cross compatible with other Akebia species including Akebia pentaphylla and Akebia trifoliata. Cold hardy to USDA zone 6a and above, or to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Burgundy colored flowers bloom from April-May. Fruits are flat, purple pods. 5 rounded leaflets make up the leaves.

Our is either going to hold our old barn up or bring it down. Right now it's about a 50-50 toss up. A huge vine if you've got the space for it.

Five-leaf Akebia is an evergreen (deciduous in the north) twining vine with chocolate colored flowers in early summer. Extremely tough and adaptable to most conditions. 10?+ in ten years. Awards: Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Recommended by: the United States National Arboretum.

Dark purple flowers.