Thompson & Morgan Akebia Quinata is unusual and seldom seen in UK gardens, making an intriguing spring display with a hardiness that belies its exotic looks. Palmate, semi-evergreen foliage provides an attractive backdrop for peculiar, maroon-chocolate coloured flowers. From March to May, racemes of vanilla scented blooms are born in abundance, with cup-shaped female flowers and noticeably smaller male flowers. During long, hot summer the occasional sausage shaped fruit may develop if two or more plants are grown to pollinate each other. Thompson & Morgan Akebia Quinata, commonly known as the Chocolate Vine, is ideal for scaling high fences and pergolas where its nodding blooms can be viewed from below. Grow Thompson & Morgan Akebia in a sunny or semi-shaded position, in any reliably moist, well-drained soil. Once established, avoid moving unless completely necessary as Chocolate Vines resent root disturbance. Akebia requires very little maintenance. Train the stems on to an appropriat