Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8

Habit: Deciduous to semi evergreen vine. Texture is medium to fine.

Exposure/Culture: Sun to moderate shade, adapts to drought and moisture, good landscape toughness. Can take over an area. Prune after flowering. Pests - none serious.

Climbing Method /Spread: Twining; 20 to 40'; restricted by structure it is growing on and or pruning. Fast growth rate.

Foliage/Flower/Fruit: Small, reddish to purple, spicy fragrant flowers in mid-spring with the leaves which are alternate, palmately compound with 5 leaflets (sometimes 3 to 4).

Cultivars: 'Alba' - white flowers, 'Shirobare' - white flowers, 'Rosea' - lavender flowers, 'Variegate' - variegated, less vigorous.

Comments: Gracefull foliage in clusters of five leaflets; easy to grow in ordinary, well drained soil; male and female flowers; flowers on old wood so prune after flowering. Good for arbors, fences, pergolas, trellises, and other structures. Needs pruning to keep in check. Native to central China and Korea and Japan. Introduced 1845.