Kadsura japonica 970337

From a Heronswood collection of wild type material in Korea, these may well prove hardier than the variegated forms. Kadsura is native from S. Korea to Taiwan, which may account for the variable hardiness claims, I’m convinced enough to put a plant on a south facing wall and microfoam it, my guess is zone six or seven which is do-able here with plenty of protection. We froze plants hard last fall and they dropped all their leaves, an excellent sign. Don’t confuse the genus with Kudzu; Kadsura is a member of the Schisandraceae. The 2cm wide sulfur yellow flowers are followed by 3cm scarlet red pendulous berry like fruits dangling from 3-4cm stalks in the leaf axils.