Description
Berchemia –
There are about 12 species of deciduous climbers, rarely shrubs, in this genus. They occur from woodland in Eastern Africa, Eastern Asia, and North and Central America. They have attractively veined, alternate, ovate, to elliptic leaves, and terminal or axillary panicles of small flowers in summer followed by fleshy fruits. Train against a wall, fence, or pergola, or into a small tree.
Grow in fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Prune in late winter or early spring.
B. racemosa ‘Variegata’ – This twining, woody climber or spreading shrub from Japan grows 12′ feet high. It produces ovate leaves, to 3″ long, variegated dark green above, lighter or bluish green beneath, each with 7-9 pairs of prominent, parallel veins. In summer it bears panicles, to 6″ long, of tiny green flowers followed by oblong red fruit, ½” long, that ripen to black.
Zones 6-9
