Akebia, the vanilla-scented climber

Looking for an easy-to-grow climber that also has beautiful flowers? If so, the Akebia is a good candidate. Hardy and fast growing, this plant will give you great satisfaction.

And it is that, as if that were not enough, you can have it in the garden or in a pot. What more could you want?

Our protagonist, whose scientific name is Akebia quinata, is from the Lardizabalaceae family. It is a climbing shrub with woody stems, native to Asia. It has a rapid growth, reaching 5m, a characteristic for which you can have it in small gardens, in planters or in pots. And, as it resists pruning well, in case you have to trim its stems, you can do it without problems towards the end of winter -when the frosts pass-, or in autumn.

The akebia, also known as chocolate vine, has lilac-red flowers with a vanilla scent. A perfume that will undoubtedly sweeten the place where you are. You will be able to enjoy its smell in spring, which will give rise to the fruits. These are shaped like sausages, and they are edible.

Its woody stems have analgesic and diuretic properties. The way to prepare them is as follows:

1. They are cut into cross sections (ie, picking one up, holding it upright, and making a horizontal cut).
2. Then they are put in a pot with water until boiling.
3. Finally, the stems - which can be taken to the compost heap - are removed, and drink the water as if it were an infusion.

Thus, we are facing a very complete climbing plant: rustic, medicinal, and that, as if that were not enough, resists frost. In fact, more and more people, living in continental climates, are encouraged to have an Akebia in their gardens or patios, either by buying a grown plant, or by acquiring seeds and sowing them with the arrival of good weather.

Do you dare to have one?