We are moving into a new house and this bush/vine is in the back yard. Could anyone identify it for me? Thanks!
Thanks Ron B, much appreciated. I see a little darkish brown/grey discolouration on the leaves. Could that be from the cold weather (taken today, in Vancouver BC) or is it some sort of fungus or lack of nutrients in the soil? Brug
I don't know what the condition is, but it's a fairly common one on many of the plants in this family locally (incl. Akebia and Stauntonia). It doesn't seem to have much effect.
After reading up on Akebia (thanks to your i'ding the plant) I was worried about that, but it seems fairly contained and content, hanging over a small fence/arbour. I see it's recommended to cut them back at the end of summer. Would this apply here in BC? I hate to cut back anything that's staying green and leafy throughout the winter if I can get away with it.
In the Seattle area mine gets Boytritis fungus, which makes dark, spidery spots on the leaves and it gets powdery mildew in early summer. It makes it look a little ugly but it is vigorous enough that I don't worry about it. I only have one so I don't have it reseed but it does need regular controlling. It will be a big vine. I know you need two for cross pollination to get fruit. They are semi-deciduous so don't worry if it loses leaves in cold spells but you don't have to cut it back, sometimes they are green all winter.
