Schisandra rubriflora
Chinese magnolia vine
A climbing, deciduous shrub, twining to 8m. Leaves are lanceolate, smooth and rather leathery, mid-green, sometimes with reddish new shoots. Flowers are unisexual, but sometimes borne on one plant, so can be self-fertile. They are borne singly in the leaf axils of new shoots, and are cup-shaped, to 3cm across, deep crimson, on pendulous red stalks to 4cm long, in June. The closely-set, pea-sized, bright red berries are borne on dangling spikes to 12.5cm
Synonyms
Schisandra grandiflora 'Rubriflora'Schisandra grandiflora 'Rubra'
see moreSchisandra grandiflora var. rubriflora
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 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 | Red | Red | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Yellow | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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
- India to 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
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 12 in early spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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