Kolomikta Climbing Vine

This rarely seen and rarely recognised climber is quite gorgeous. It is sometimes known as the Kiwi vine, although more in the USA than the UK. It grows to thirty feet tall and spreads to a width of sixteen feet with large and long dark green leaves, that can reach six inches in size, which are green with a faint purple tinge when they first appear but which become variegated as the year continues with splotches of bright pink and white on the end furthest from the plant. Small fragrant white flowers appear in late spring or early summer and the female plant will produce a green, smooth-skinned fruit in autumn.

It’s really impressive, particularly grown against a light wall, but it will need trellising or some other form of support. Although not a plant for a beginner, this one can cope well with most of the weather conditions that are thrown at it, as long as it is planted in full sun and has a rich but well-drained soil that can be kept cool. This is a member of the clematis family and protecting the roots with a mulch or even a slab that will keep the base of the plant nicely chilled will do a great deal to produce good leaf growth. If necessary it can be pruned in winter but bear in mind that it may not do well in the following year if it is exposed to cold winter winds.

Once established this is a vigorous and twining climber.

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