Holboellia latifolia Seeds | Blue Sausage Fruit
LATIN NAME: Holboellia latifolia
COMMON NAME: Blue Sausage Fruit
Plant Profile
Blue Sausage Fruit (Holboellia latifolia) is a climber in the lardizabala family, native to mixed forests from the Himalayas to southwestern China. Blue sausage fruit is climber with impossible name and fine, quiet flowers of early spring. Vigorous, evergreen climber carries handsome, compound leaves with three leaflets and small, purple-brown, fragrant flowers in axillary clusters through early spring, to be followed by long, cylindrical, blue-purple fruits that give plant its curious name. Vine is a fine, bold presence of warm wall, pergola and large conservatory. Each of these traits is modest on its own; together they make a garden-worthy plant.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the lardizabala family, Holboellia latifolia is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Blue Sausage Fruit earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Blue sausage fruit is a fine, bold vine of warm wall and the pergola. It has been written up in horticultural and botanical papers for blue fruits and early flowers, and it is a fine, bold vine of open, sunny to partly shaded, well-drained garden. Blue sausage fruit is one of curious climbers of warm wall, and long, cylindrical, blue-purple fruits give plant its impossible name. Once settled, it thrives on neglect more than on fussing.
Holboellia bears fragrant spring bells and sausage-like edible fruits, the sausage vine of Asian forests; it is a collector’s climber.
Growing from Seed
Raising Blue Sausage Fruit from seed is straightforward. Surface-sow onto a light, well-drained compost, dust over a thin covering, and keep evenly moist and sunny until the seedlings show. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Blue Sausage Fruit earns its space through character rather than fuss. Give the seed freshness and steady moisture, and nature handles the rest.
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