Chocolate Vine | Akebia quinata 'Silver Bells'
A wonderfully aromatic climber
Grown by Mollie
Cheltenham
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Plant diary
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Chocolate Vine
Akebia quinata 'Silver Bells'
- This highly-distinctive climbing vine features vivid green foliage and showy, scented flowers in cream and lilac pink
- Typically blooming between March and May, the vine produces racemes of butter-coloured male flowers and slightly bigger mauvish female flowers
- A semi-evergreen climber that uses its tendrils to grasp on to surfaces, this variety is ideal for training up walls, fences, pergolas or trellises
- Gloriously low maintenance, this vine has excellent pest and disease resistance, requires little to no pruning, and doesn't typically need additional feeding
- We'd feel hard done by if a plant called the 'chocolate vine' didn't offer some fantastic fragrance, and we're happy to say that 'Silver Bells' doesn't disappoint. Radiating a somewhat spicy aroma with notes of vanilla, this climber makes a fabulous addition to a summer seating area where the scent can be best enjoyed
- This vine may be straight from the chocolate box, but it's anything but delicate! Cold-hardy down to temperatures of -20°C, and pretty tolerant when it comes to drought, this is one seriously robust climber
- Please Note: Our climbers are pruned back each winter, and some during the summer, so you may find at certain times of year they do not cover the whole 90cm cane. This is intentional to ensure the best growth when you plant out
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Chocolate Vine can be grown in a large pot or container (minimum 40 cm deep) with adequate drainage and a suitable support structure.
How big does it get?
Chocolate Vine can grow to a height of 8 to 10 metres and spread up to 2 metres.
How much sunlight does this need?
Chocolate Vine prefers full sun to partial shade.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Chocolate Vine prefers a well-drained, loamy soil with plenty of organic matter.
How much watering does this plant need?
Chocolate Vine requires moderate watering, aiming for about 2.5 centimetres of water per week to maintain evenly moist soil.
Will this plant need pruning?
Chocolate Vine benefits from regular pruning, removing dead or crossing stems and cutting back by about 15 to 30 centimetres to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth.
How hardy is this plant?
Akebia quinata 'Silver Bells' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it can withstand temperatures from -10°C to -15°C and is hardy in most places throughout the UK.
The wider garden
Cheltenham
Meet Mollie
Climbers grown by specialists at the height of their game
What does it take to grow the strongest and best climbing plants in the show tent? Organic fertilisers, natural pest control and years of dedication from Mollie, our expert grower in Worcestershire. Professionally pruned and checked by hand, they’re guaranteed to put on a gold standard display in your garden, too.
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