| The Schisandra (Shisandra chinensis) vine aka the Magnolia Vine and Five Flavor Fruit Vine, is an elegant deciduous vine native to Northern China. It displays beautiful oval shaped leaves and small white, yellow or red blossoms in late spring followed by a unique and nutrient rich red berry in late summer. |
The berries are certainly one of a kind. Known as the Five Flavor Berry for a reason, this berry takes you on a wild journey through sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, tanginess and sourness. Old wisdom says that whichever flavor you taste most is the essence you need more of in your diet. Beyond folklore, these berries are also valued for positive effects regarding immunity and health.
The berries can be dried to be used in teas or rendered into a flavorful syrup. Fresh berries are a great conversation starter – relish them in whichever way you please!
Schisandra Vine Grow Tips:
1. Plant in a location with partial shade. The Schisandra vine grows best in partial shade, especially in hot climates. Planting in an area that receives understory light or next to a wall with an awning are great options. They can still be exposed to full sun, however they will acclimate best in a cooler environment with more shade and protection from the hot afternoon sun.
2. Be aware of pollination requirements. The majority of Schisandra vines are dioecious and need both female and male varieties to cross pollinate for fruit formation. We sell unsexed seedlings, so it is generally recommended to plant 3+ plants to increase your probability of having both male and female plants.
3. Plant in well draining slightly acidic soil. Schisandra vines is adaptable to a range of soils, however they are not drought tolerant. They do best in a rich soil that has steady moisture with good drainage. We recommend adding a layer of compost or an organic balanced fertilizer to the top soil each spring and providing a layer of mulch to help contain moisture.
4. They prefer cooler regions. They thrive best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8.
5. Provide adequate support. The vigorous vining habit of the Schisandra will require a trellis, fence, or wall support. We’ve even successfully trained it up a cedar tree here at the nursery!