Schisandra sphenanthera aka Lemonwood

Schisandra sphenanthera, or southern magnolia vine, is a deciduous climber. It belongs to the family Schisandraceae. Its native range covers central and southern China. It grows in forests, thickets, wet places, and on slopes. These habitats lie in temperate parts of the country. Plants For A Future records it across many Chinese provinces. In gardens, it suits woodland edges and wall borders.

The stems twine as the plant climbs. The RHS gives a garden height of 13–26 feet [4–8 metres]. Its shorter description places the height near 23 feet [7 metres]. The spread reaches about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Plants take around five to ten years to reach full size. The leaves broaden toward their tips and have tiny edge teeth. Each leaf measures about two to four inches long. The plant loses its leaves for winter.

Small flowers hang from thin stalks in late spring and early summer. Their orange-red blooms measure about half an inch across. Bright scarlet berries follow the flowers. Flowers and fruit give this vine interest beyond its leaves. The RHS suggests it for cottage gardens and informal planting. It also lists wall borders, hedges, and screens as uses. Plants For A Future suggests dappled shade and woodland edges. It does not recommend deep shade.

Grow this vine in fertile soil that drains well. Keep the soil moist rather than waterlogged. The RHS accepts both full sun and partial shade. It lists clay, loam, sand, and chalk as suitable soils. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all fall within its stated range. The RHS rates its UK hardiness as H5. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. The RHS places pruning in early spring. Sow ripe seed in containers in a cold frame. Summer cuttings offer another way to raise plants.

The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Plants For A Future gives the fruit a modest food rating. Yet it admits that species-specific evidence for eating it is lacking. Treat its claim of edible fruit as uncertain. The same source reports no known hazards, not proof of safety. It also notes medicinal use in southern China. Much of its detailed medicinal account concerns another species. Those claims should not be transferred to this vine.