Variegated Five-leaf Akebia. Variegated Akebia is a striking variegated clone of this species with cream white to pale yellow marbling. I had one clone of this selection before which had the propensity to revert to green, but I found this clone in Japan, and it is incredibly stable. As with the species, it climbs by twining, but it is much more restrained in vigor, which is really a plus. This species seems to be quite cold hardy, even though in more northern climes, it may drop its foliage during the winter, it doesn't kill back. Even though the species is listed as a zone 5-10 plant, this variegated form might be more of a zone 6-10 hardiness. When flowering, it replicates the species with 3-4 inch hanging racemes of pinkish-purple bell-like flowers in spring produced on its new growth.
Zones 6-10
