About
Schisandra chinensis, the Chinese limonnik, is a deciduous, twining climber with woody stems and obovate to elliptic, glossy, slightly serrated leaves to 14 cm long. Small, cup-shaped, cream to pale-pink flowers are produced on short stalks from the leaf axils in late spring and early summer; on female plants these are followed by hanging clusters of small, round, red or pink berries. A rewarding and ornamental climbing shrub for a sheltered, moist, semi-shaded garden.
About the genus
Schisandra are deciduous or evergreen, monoecious or dioecious, twining shrubs with alternate leaves and solitary or clustered flowers borne in the leaf axils in spring or summer. Female plants produce elongated spikes of colourful berries in autumn. Excellent climbers for sheltered, moist, semi-shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil; thrives in partial or dappled shade but will tolerate full sun as long as soil is consistently moist. Will benefit from mulching. Tie in shoots of young plants until established. Plant both male and female plants to ensure fruit
PruningPruning group 12, in early spring
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, by softwood cuttings in early summer or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free