A twining climber, closely related to Menispermum. Its main attraction are lustrous leaves: dark green, heart-shaped or oval, changing to yellow in autumn. Slender twining shoots turn to brown with age. Creamy flowers small and inconspicuous, in July-August. Fruits small, rounded, black with a blue bloom. It has low soil requirements, but prefers warm sunny spots. Prune lightly, only when needed. Suitable for growing over arbors, fences, pergolas, trellises and other supports which it will cover with a dense mass of greenery. It may also be encouraged to climb into a tree or a tall hedge.