About
This evergreen, branching vine to 4m tall, with slender, long-tipped, silver-mottled leaves. In summer it bears pendent clusters of small yellow flowers; these may be followed by round, red berries.
About the genus
Schisandra are deciduous or evergreen, monoecious or dioecious, twining shrubs. Leaves are alternate on slender stalks. Flowers are solitary or in small clusters, borne in the leaf axils, and sepals and petals are indistinguishable. In female flowers the carpels are densely packed into a head, but as they ripen they elongate, eventually forming a spike several inches long
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Native toChina, Tibet
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds
PruningSee pruning group 12
PropagationPropagate by seed. Take greenwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free