A lovely, vigorous climber up to 10 m (1-3 m of annual growth). Violet flowers are borne in exceptionally long racemes during May and June. Starts flowering in its third, fourth year after planting. The stems twine in an anti-clockwise direction. Leaves pinnate, green, turning yellow in autumn. Best grown in sheltered, warm and sunny positions, in moderately fertile and moist soils. It may freeze during severe winters. Requires a strong support.