Akebia quinata Chocolate Vine

Here is a very interesting vine that is hardy to -22°F and evergreen in zones 8 - 9. Red-purple flowers in spring followed by purple, edible sausage-shaped fruits. It's 5" fleshy fruit pods split open when ripe revealing a white gelatinous pulp with a unique tapioca-like flavor. Chocolate vine grows well on a trellis and smells of white chocolate when the flowers are in bloom. A fun gift for the chocolate lover who can't get enough of all things chocolate or for the chocolate lover who for whatever sad reasons is not presently eating chocolate and needs this sweet-smelling reminder.