Schisandra, Official (Schisandra chinensis), packet of 20 seeds

Family: Magnolia (Magnoliaceae)

Hardy to Zones 4 to 8

(Wu-wei-zi) Perennial woody vine. Native to Manchuria, northeastern China and Japan. The odoriferous pink or white flowers give way to bright red fruit which droops down in clusters from the vine. This is known as the many-flavored berry. The taste is sour. Traditional usage (TCM): appetite stimulant, immune-enhancement.  Vine prefers moist soils and dappled shade, and really prefers to sprangle on the ground instead of climbing a trellis.  Some people scarify the seeds before planting but I find this to be unnecessary.  Soak seeds in water overnight before planting.   Give 30 days warm (70 to 80 degrees F), then 30 days cold (40 degrees F), then plant in cool shade–requires oscillating temperatures for germination.  Light is fine.  Protect flats from birds, which like to eat the germinating seeds.  Protect the seedlings from mice, which like to chew the bark.  Work seedlings up in pots and transplant once sufficiently well-established to survive the rigors of the landscape.  Space 3 feet apart.

Packet contains 20 seeds

Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s