Chocolate Vine

The Chocolate Vine is a vigorous twining climber, reaching as much as 40 feet tall and wide in a few years. It is the perfect thing to cover a large area of ugly fence, or a big dead tree. It is also suitable for larger pergolas, gazebos and trellis. Grow it in a tub or planter for use in a smaller area. The clusters of purple blooms are very attractive, and smell like vanilla or chocolate. Purple fruit like miniature eggplants are sometimes produced.

• Vigorous climbing plant for large areas
• Beautiful foliage like 5 fingers on a hand
• Trusses of purple blooms smell of chocolate
• Evergreen in warmer zones
• Grows well in shade, but with reduced flowering

Full sun will produce the most flowers on the Chocolate Vine, which blooms on older stems. It also grows well in shade, even full shade, but with fewer blooms. It is deciduous in zones 4 and 5. Plant in any well-drained soil, and once established it is moderately drought resistant, free of pests or diseases and easy to grow. Prune if needed after flowering, or in late winter.