Schisandra sphenanthera
Southern magnolia vine
S. sphenanthera is a deciduous, twining climber, up to 7m tall, with obovate, minutely-toothed leaves 5-10cm long. Small, pendulous, orange-red flowers, around 1.5cm wide, are borne on slender stalks in late spring and early summer and are followed by scarlet-red berries
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Orange Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Schisandraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- W China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. Propagate by softwood cuttings (greenwood) in early or mid-summer or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wall side borders
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 12 in early spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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