Five Flavor Berry
Schisandra chinensis
Also listed as Kadsura chinensis, Maximowiczia amurensis
Also known as Five-flavor Magnolia Vine, Chinese Magnolia-vine, Five-flavour Berry
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous climbing vine native to East Asia, valued for its small red berries with a unique taste combining sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent flavors. The berries are used fresh, dried, or in traditional medicine and are highly nutritious.
Why grow it
Schisandra chinensis produces fruit with a distinctive flavor profile that differs markedly from common berries, making it of interest to gardeners seeking culinary or medicinal diversity. As a vigorous vine, it can cover vertical structures efficiently while producing edible yield, similar in growth habit to hardy kiwi but with distinct organoleptic and traditional-use properties. The plant tolerates partial shade better than many fruiting vines, expanding options for gardeners with limited full-sun space.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow in the first two years, and consistent moisture during growing season supports better fruit set. In cooler climates near the northern edge of its hardiness range, late spring frosts may reduce flowering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Schisandraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia (China, Russia, Korea, Japan)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous climbing vine native to East Asia, valued for its small red berries with a unique taste combining sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent flavors. The berries are used fresh, dried, or in traditional medicine and are highly nutritious.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Five Flavor Berry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Schisandra chinensis produces fruit with a distinctive flavor profile that differs markedly from common berries, making it of interest to gardeners seeking culinary or medicinal diversity. As a vigorous vine, it can cover vertical structures efficiently while producing edible yield, similar in growth habit to hardy kiwi but with distinct organoleptic and traditional-use properties. The plant tolerates partial shade better than many fruiting vines, expanding options for gardeners with limited full-sun space.
Watch out for
Establishment can be slow in the first two years, and consistent moisture during growing season supports better fruit set. In cooler climates near the northern edge of its hardiness range, late spring frosts may reduce flowering.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Schisandraceae
Native Range
Eastern Asia (China, Russia, Korea, Japan)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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