Five-leaf akebia, climbing cucumber

Central China, Japan, Korea. A climbing, fast-growing, semi-evergreen shrub 3-5 m and taller with dark green, five-divided leaves that remain late into autumn. The flowers are fragrant, brownish-purple, on thin pedicels, in May. Particularly decorative from August to October are the bud-like fruits, 10-15 cm long, with a bluish bloom; when fully ripe they split open. Prefers well-drained, cultivated, sandy soil in a sunny or partly shaded position. Well suited for vertical greening of pergolas and covered alleys. Hardiness zone 6b.