Kadsura japonica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kad-SOO-ruh juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
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Kadsura Vine is a flowering, evergreen to semi-evergreen, vigorous vine or shrub native of Japan and Korea. it has a tendency to climb and, in its native woodland environment, will climb surrounding trees. It has glossy, dark green foliage that turns red and purple in fall, but remains on the plant year round. The flowers emit a soft sweet perfume. The attractive leaves and flowers lead to this plants cultivation as an ornamental.
Kadsura Vine does best in moist, well-drained, neutral or acidic soil, but tolerates poor soil and will grow in sandy or clay soils. It will grow in full sun or partial shade and requires a sheltered situation away from cold and wind.
There are male and female plants and both are needed for production of the edible fruit. Kadsura is not winter hardy and the leaves suffer burns in cold weather. However, the plant can be grown indoors in locations where outdoor temperatures are an issue. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth, which should not be an issue since the plants do not require pruning.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Chirifu'
Evergreen Magnolia Vine - 'Fukerin'
Two foot width. - 'Piper'
- 'Variegata'
Variegated Magnolia Vine
- 'Chirifu'
- 'Chirifu', 'Fukerin', 'Piper', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Chirifu'
Evergreen Magnolia Vine - 'Fukerin'
Two foot width. - 'Piper'
- 'Variegata'
Variegated Magnolia Vine
- 'Chirifu'
- 'Chirifu', 'Fukerin', 'Piper', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kadsura
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Schisandraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Korea, South Japan to Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- The larvae of the moth Caloptilia kadsurae feed on this plant.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Edibility:
- Edible fruits can be eaten raw or cooked.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Description:
- Kadsura is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant), thus both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The resulting fruits can be eaten raw or cooked.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant white flowers blossom from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Deep green, glossy leaves are irregularly edged in white and turn slightly red in autumn.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
