Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Climber
Chocolate vine: when and how to prune
Akebia quinata
Chocolate vine is best pruned in June.
| Pruning months | June |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in June |
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Chocolate vine: when to prune it?
After flowering, in June. That leaves the whole summer to make new stems that flower the following spring.
What else to prune in those months? June
Chocolate vine: how to prune it?
- Cut back overlong and tangled stems to keep it within its allotted space.
- Remove dead and weak stems.
- A neglected, tangled plant can be cut back hard after flowering; it regrows readily.
- Do not prune in autumn or winter, or you lose the next spring’s flowers.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in June can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
Caution: If you want fruit, spare the stems where fruits are setting when you prune.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Chocolate vine · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.