Akebia quinata Silver Bells is an evergreen vine or climber in the Lardizabalaceae family. Its native range is from central and eastern China to Japan. Familiar names include Silver Bells or five-leaf Akebia. It is found growing on hills, on trees, in hedges, along forests and streams, and on mountain slopes. The fruits are sweet and taste like white dragonfruit. The rinds are bitter and stuffed with ground beef and deep-fried. Also, vines are used in basket weaving. It can grow to around 30 feet long from a grayish-brown woody stem with lenticels. The leaves are compound with five leaflets notched at the tip. The scented flowers are usually clustered with 3-4 sepals. The fruits are long round pods filled with seeds covered in pulp. The pulp is edible and tastes a little sweet. It prefers to grow in sandy soils with average drainage. Once established, it will become drought-tolerant. It grows best in part sun to part shade. Zones 5-8 Germination To germinate Akebia quinata seeds, start by stratifying them to break dormancy and promote uniform germination. To stratify, place the seeds in a moist paper towel or sphagnum moss inside a sealed plastic bag and refrigerate them for about 2-3 months. After stratification, prepare a well-draining seed starting mix, such as a combination of peat moss and perlite, and fill a container with it. Plant the stratified seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the potting mix, spacing them apart to allow room for growth. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged by misting or watering lightly whenever the surface begins to dry out. Place the container in a warm, brightly lit location with temperatures around 70-75°F (21-24°C). Germination typically occurs within 4-6 weeks, but it can take longer. Once the seeds have sprouted and developed several sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the garden, ensuring they receive adequate sunlight and water as they continue to grow.
