Kadsura japonica

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese kadsura

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Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse
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A strong-growing, twining evergreen climber to 4m in height with oval to lance-shaped shiny dark green leaves. Flowers are small, cup-shaped, yellowish-white and appear from summer to autumn. These are followed by red fruits on female plants

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Schisandraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Genus
Kadsura are dioecious, evergreen climbing shrubs with twining stems, simple glossy leaves and solitary cup-shaped flowers followed by fleshy, blackberry-like fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Korea, Japan, Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, moist soil in sun or part-shade

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 12 in winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free