Holboellia grandiflora
Family: Lardizabalaceae
What it is like
Holboellia grandiflora is an evergreen Climber. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0
Where it is found
Thickets. Grows over scrub and rocks in limestone ravines at altitudes of 1,300 - 1,600 metres. Mixed forests, mountain slopes, scrub along valleys; 1100 - 3000 metres.
E. Asia - W. China in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or cooked. The purple fruit can be from 7 - 12 cm long.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Easily grown in any fertile soil in sun or part shade. Plants grow best on a shady wall or when grown into a tree. They succeed in sun or deep shade, but fruits are much more likely to be produced when the plants are grown in a sunny position. Plants are not fully hardy in Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to about -15°c and can be damaged by prolonged periods below -5°c. Plants do not fruit freely in this country. Hand pollination would probably help, whilst fruits are more likely to form in hot summers. There is also some doubt as to whether the plants are monoecious or dioecious, it would be best to grow at least two distinct plants (not cuttings from one plant) and make sure that male and female flowers are present. The flowers are sweetly and heavily scented. The males are produced on the previous years wood whilst females are produced on the current years wood. Plants are fast growing and climb by means of twining. This genus is closely related to Stauntonia spp.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no details on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise as soon as you obtain it, in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of softwood. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in late summer or autumn. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist