Schisandra chinensis
Chinese hawthorn
Common names: Five-flavor berry, Schisandra
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Schisandra chinensis is a hardy climber from East Asia that produces bright red berries in loose clusters in autumn. In traditional Chinese medicine it is considered the fruit of the five tastes—sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty—at once. The plant is dioecious, requiring both male and female specimens for fruit set. It can climb to 8 m on trellises or fences and is well suited to semi‑shaded garden edges or under light trees. The berries are very sour when eaten raw and are usually dried or made into syrup.
Care instructions
Plant Schisandra in a semi‑shaded to sunny spot with a humus‑rich, well‑drained soil; it tolerates full sun less well. Provide a sturdy trellis at planting so the shoots can develop strongly from May to June. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first two years, but avoid waterlogging. In late winter prune away excess and woody shoots to allow light and air to reach the fruiting wood. A mulch layer of leaf or bark compost protects the roots over winter and keeps the soil moist.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, moist
Feeding
Medium feeder
Pruning
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