Holboellia latifolia (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun (most flowers) to full shade (fewer flowers)
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 5m
Eventual Spread: 4m
Hardiness: 9a – 11
Family: Lardizabalaceae
Holboellia latifolia is a vigorous, evergreen climber. Its dark green leathery leaves are composed of up to five leaflets which are ovate/ oblong with entire margins and up to 12cm long. Its are stems twining which enable this plant to climb. Its fragrant pale green/ white flowers are monoecious and appear in auxillary clusters. Its pink/ purple fruit are sausage shaped and up to 10cm long.
Holboellia latifolia, commonly known as the Sausage Vine, is native to the Himalayas. In its native habitat it grows in forests and thickets in shady moist sites.
The etymological root of the binomial name Holboellia is named after the Danish ornithologist Carl Peter Holboell (1795-1856). Latifolia is derived from the Latin latus meaning ‘broad’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’.
The landscape architect may find Holboellia latifolia useful as a vigorous evergreen climber, suitable for climbing over structures or on trellis’.
Holboellia latifolia Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Holboellia latifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Holboellia latifolia prefers moist, fertile, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.
Holboellia latifolia requires little maintenance.
