Holboellia traversii - China Bluebell

Holboellia traversii is the most discreet species in this genus of Asian climbing plants related to Akebia. However, it is as hardy as it is decorative, first with its long, delightfully scented spring to summer flowering, and then with its beautiful tough foliage that persists all year round. Its male and female flowers have different appearances, with a slightly pinkish mauve or greenish-white colour. In the hottest summers, they produce edible fruits that resemble small purple sausages. In the garden, it climbs without suffocating the surrounding bushes, and its moderate growth also allows it to be grown in a container for many years. So many reasons to adopt this small climber, capable of perfuming a whole section of the garden or terrace for several weeks.

Holboellia traversii belongs to the family of Lardizabalaceae. The 5 species in the genus Holboellia are native to Chinese and Himalayan mountain forests. They are little-known but robust climbers that prefer partial shade at the base and full sun at the top, and they tolerate any well-drained soil rich in humus, without excessive limestone, even fairly dry in summer once they are well established.

Holboellia traversii hybrid 'Travers' is one of the least vigorous, but also one of the most cold-resistant, down to -20°C. This woody climber will not exceed 3m in height and 1m in width in our gardens. Its growth rate is moderate. Its leaves are compound, consisting of 3 elliptical to ovate elliptical leaflets, measuring 6 to 10cm in length and 4 to 5cm in width. They are more or less tough and glossy, dark green. This plant produces either male or female flowers, with different appearances, from May to July. The small female, greenish-white flowers, emerge at the base of new shoots, while the more numerous male flowers, slightly pinkish mauve, appear at the ends of twisting branches. They are all delightfully scented and have bell-shaped flowers measuring 1 to 1.6mm in length, consisting only of waxy sepals. The flowers are grouped in clusters. The flowering is followed by the formation of a few purple, oval fruits measuring 4-5cm in length in autumn, which are edible if they ripen.

Holboellia traversii joyfully winds itself up to the top of bushes, perfuming the air several metres around for nearly 2 months. It withstands our winters perfectly and remains beautiful all year round. By training the twining stems as they grow, this plant can be used to cover a trellis on the terrace or the branches of a small tree that becomes bare in winter. It can accompany easy-to-grow small clematis (alpina, integrifolia, viticella, 'Rebecca', tangutica Golden Tiara) or blend in with the flowering of Japanese honeysuckles.