Akebia (Lazrdizablaceae) quinata

A semi-evergreen climber that will, if left to ramble, give an interesting display of unusual shaped fruit.  Fragrant chocolate purple flowers approximately 2.5-3cm (1-1.5") wide in mid spring with both male and female on the same racemes.  The sausage shaped fruit follows in the early autumn.  A sunny location is necessary to produce fruit.  This elegant climber is well worth growing even if it must have a part sunny location and no fruit is produced.  Akebia thrive in good soil, but do not like to be disturbed once established.  Little pruning is required other than the removal of dead or weak stems.

Zone 5b.