Akebia quinata is a twining woody vine and a vigorous climber. Its dense green foliage is divided into groups of five leaves. Its flowers, which appear in spring, are small and can be obscured by the foliage. They are chocolate-scented, hence the common name. The flowers of the species are purple, but can vary by cultivar. Akebia quinata ‘Shirobana’ has white flowers that are supposedly more fragrant than the species.
The chocolate vine is deciduous in cold climates, but can be semi-evergreen to evergreen in warmer areas. It is a good choice for a vertical foliage accent in moderately shaded locations.
