Zone: 4-8
Vine length: 7-9 m (20-30 ft)
Spread: 1 m (3-4 meters or 10-13 feet trained up on T-trellis)
Bloom: Small white tube flowers in spring (see Plant Info)
Foliage: Dark green, glossy leaves
Fruit: Clusters of brilliant coral-red berries (see Plant Info)
Light: Part shade to full shade
Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Tolerant of all types, but prefers moist, well-drained
Garden locations: Support in semi-shade; develops substantial root system that can compete with adjacent plantings.
Schisandra chinensis (Five-flavor berry)
Woody vine grows moderately fast and needs support (naturally would grow up tree trunks). Reportedly dioecious (requiring separate male and female plants) but all of my vines produce berries, so one plant is sufficient (but fruit tends to be increased when multiple plants cross-pollinate. Berries have unique flavour fresh or dried, including: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour.
Schisandra chinensis (Wu Wei Zi) is one of the 50 most important traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) plants and has many applications.
