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White Flowered Chocolate Vine - 1 Gallon

SKU: 902561
UPC: 014949025611
$19.99
  • Fragrant white spring blooms on a vigorous, twining vine; semi‑evergreen foliage adds year‑round texture.
  • Fast cover for arbors, trellises, and privacy screens—twining stems reach 15–20 ft. with support.
  • Flowers may be followed by showy, edible 4" purple fruit; best fruit set with cross‑pollination.
  • Adaptable and easy‑care: thrives in full sun to partial shade; hardy in USDA Zones 5–9.

White Flowered Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’) delivers a graceful cascade of creamy‑white, sweetly scented blossoms in early spring, maturing into lush, semi‑evergreen foliage that cloaks structures with ease. A versatile, fast grower for arbors, pergolas, and fences, it performs from full sun to partial shade and is reliably hardy in Zones 5–9. In favorable conditions, the spring display can give way to striking, 4‑inch, edible purple pods—most abundant when a second, genetically distinct Akebia is nearby for cross‑pollination.


Botanical Name

Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’ — commonly called White Flowered Chocolate Vine; family Lardizabalaceae.

Plant Type & Habit

Woody, twining climber with a moderate to fast growth rate. Semi‑evergreen in mild climates; deciduous in colder regions.

Mature Size

Twining stems typically reach 15–20 ft. with support. Allow ample lateral room; spread depends on training and structure.

Hardiness & Climate

USDA Zones 5–9. Semi‑evergreen where winters are mild; more deciduous in colder zones.

Light & Exposure

Performs in full sun to partial shade. In hot-summer areas, afternoon shade helps reduce stress and preserve bloom quality.

Soil & Water

Thrives in moist, well‑drained soils (sandy loam ideal) but adapts to most garden soils. Keep evenly moist during establishment; water as needed thereafter to maintain consistent moisture.

Feed during active growth if soils are lean; mulch to moderate soil temperature and conserve moisture.

Flowers & Fragrance

Early spring clusters of fragrant white flowers dangle along the vines, offering a sweet, chocolate‑like/spicy perfume and delicate, airy display.

Fruit & Edibility

After bloom, vines may produce showy 4" purple pods with edible, sweet white pulp. For best yield, provide a second, genetically distinct Akebia (another variety/seedling) nearby to improve cross‑pollination. Fruit set varies by climate and pollinator activity.

Uses & Landscape Ideas
  • Fast cover for arbors, trellises, pergolas, and fences.
  • Privacy screen or informal espalier on sturdy supports.
  • Large containers with a trellis or obelisk.
  • Can be trained as a ground cover on banks and slopes.

Companion ideas: Clematis, Black‑eyed Susan, Coneflower, Trumpet Vine, Butterfly Weed.

Training & Pruning

Provide a sturdy support. Guide young stems to the structure; tie in until vines twine on their own. Prune after flowering to shape and control size, or annually during dormancy in colder regions. Remove congested or weak growth as needed.

Maintenance & Feeding

Water deeply and regularly the first season to establish a broad root system. In lean soils, apply a balanced, slow‑release fertilizer during active growth. Refresh mulch yearly, keeping it off the stems.

Wildlife & Deer

Spring flowers can draw pollinators. Foliage is often deer‑tolerant, though browsing may occur where pressure is high.

Invasiveness & Regional Notes

This vine is vigorous and can be invasive in some regions. Check local guidance and manage with timely pruning; avoid allowing stems to root where unwanted.

Planting & Spacing

Plant at the same depth as in the container, near your support. Space multiple plants 6–10 ft. apart for screens, adjusting based on training style and structure size. Ensure good air circulation.

Container Care

Use a large container with drainage and a stable trellis or obelisk. Keep soil evenly moist and feed regularly during the growing season; refresh the top few inches of mix annually.

 
  • Fragrant white spring blooms on a vigorous, twining vine; semi‑evergreen foliage adds year‑round texture.
  • Fast cover for arbors, trellises, and privacy screens—twining stems reach 15–20 ft. with support.
  • Flowers may be followed by showy, edible 4" purple fruit; best fruit set with cross‑pollination.
  • Adaptable and easy‑care: thrives in full sun to partial shade; hardy in USDA Zones 5–9.

White Flowered Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’) delivers a graceful cascade of creamy‑white, sweetly scented blossoms in early spring, maturing into lush, semi‑evergreen foliage that cloaks structures with ease. A versatile, fast grower for arbors, pergolas, and fences, it performs from full sun to partial shade and is reliably hardy in Zones 5–9. In favorable conditions, the spring display can give way to striking, 4‑inch, edible purple pods—most abundant when a second, genetically distinct Akebia is nearby for cross‑pollination.


Botanical Name

Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’ — commonly called White Flowered Chocolate Vine; family Lardizabalaceae.

Plant Type & Habit

Woody, twining climber with a moderate to fast growth rate. Semi‑evergreen in mild climates; deciduous in colder regions.

Mature Size

Twining stems typically reach 15–20 ft. with support. Allow ample lateral room; spread depends on training and structure.

Hardiness & Climate

USDA Zones 5–9. Semi‑evergreen where winters are mild; more deciduous in colder zones.

Light & Exposure

Performs in full sun to partial shade. In hot-summer areas, afternoon shade helps reduce stress and preserve bloom quality.

Soil & Water

Thrives in moist, well‑drained soils (sandy loam ideal) but adapts to most garden soils. Keep evenly moist during establishment; water as needed thereafter to maintain consistent moisture.

Feed during active growth if soils are lean; mulch to moderate soil temperature and conserve moisture.

Flowers & Fragrance

Early spring clusters of fragrant white flowers dangle along the vines, offering a sweet, chocolate‑like/spicy perfume and delicate, airy display.

Fruit & Edibility

After bloom, vines may produce showy 4" purple pods with edible, sweet white pulp. For best yield, provide a second, genetically distinct Akebia (another variety/seedling) nearby to improve cross‑pollination. Fruit set varies by climate and pollinator activity.

Uses & Landscape Ideas
  • Fast cover for arbors, trellises, pergolas, and fences.
  • Privacy screen or informal espalier on sturdy supports.
  • Large containers with a trellis or obelisk.
  • Can be trained as a ground cover on banks and slopes.

Companion ideas: Clematis, Black‑eyed Susan, Coneflower, Trumpet Vine, Butterfly Weed.

Training & Pruning

Provide a sturdy support. Guide young stems to the structure; tie in until vines twine on their own. Prune after flowering to shape and control size, or annually during dormancy in colder regions. Remove congested or weak growth as needed.

Maintenance & Feeding

Water deeply and regularly the first season to establish a broad root system. In lean soils, apply a balanced, slow‑release fertilizer during active growth. Refresh mulch yearly, keeping it off the stems.

Wildlife & Deer

Spring flowers can draw pollinators. Foliage is often deer‑tolerant, though browsing may occur where pressure is high.

Invasiveness & Regional Notes

This vine is vigorous and can be invasive in some regions. Check local guidance and manage with timely pruning; avoid allowing stems to root where unwanted.

Planting & Spacing

Plant at the same depth as in the container, near your support. Space multiple plants 6–10 ft. apart for screens, adjusting based on training style and structure size. Ensure good air circulation.

Container Care

Use a large container with drainage and a stable trellis or obelisk. Keep soil evenly moist and feed regularly during the growing season; refresh the top few inches of mix annually.