Climbing Yam
(Dioscorea batatas)
This hardy perennial, which is also known as Cinnamon Vine and Chinese Mountain Yam, combines flavorful eating with unforgettable fragrance, and beauty with low-maintenance. Requiring only a light fence to climb on, Climbing yam is showy with it's reddish stems and glossy, lime-green, heart-shaped leaves which turn golden yellow in the fall. In July or early August the vine also produces numerous branched strings of tiny cream-colored flowers. Despite the modest size of these flowers they produce a bold and delicious scent strongly reminiscent of cinnamon with traces of clove and vanilla. The underground tubers of these interesting vines are edible, with an off-white, tender and flaky flesh which has a delicious, somewhat nutty flavor. They are delicious fried, baked, steamed, broiled, added to soups or casseroles, or mashed just like potatoes. These tubers are fairly fast growing and if left in the ground for a few years (which will not harm the flavor) they may reach 3 to 4 feet long. They can be dug and enjoyed any time the ground can be worked. In addition to these large tubers, Climbing Yam also produces small bulbils (above-ground tubers) near the ends of side branches which can also be eaten just like the tubers, or used to propagate more plants for additional yam production.
A hardy perennial to -25°F (USDA zone 4) these vines will regrow from the ground each year, Climbing Yam dies back in the winter and returns in the spring, usually around mid- to late June. It will usually grow at least 8-10 feet in height and width, though under ideal conditions (they like hot summers) they can grow as much as 20 feet in one year. They are very easy to grow vines which are disease and pest resistant, tolerant of drought once established, and require only to be planted in a well-drained, full sun to mostly sunny location with occasional watering. For easiest harvest, some people plant Climbing Yam in a 3-4 foot tall box with one collapsible side located near a trellis or other support. When you are ready to harvest you can simply drop the side and carefully excavate your prize. Because the vine takes a couple of years before it blooms or produces bulbils, you might want to keep edible and ornamental plantings separate. One plant can produce 5-10 pounds of tubers.
A hardy perennial to -25°F (USDA zone 4) these vines will regrow from the ground each year, Climbing Yam dies back in the winter and returns in the spring, usually around mid- to late June. It will usually grow at least 8-10 feet in height and width, though under ideal conditions (they like hot summers) they can grow as much as 20 feet in one year. They are very easy to grow vines which are disease and pest resistant, tolerant of drought once established, and require only to be planted in a well-drained, full sun to mostly sunny location with occasional watering. For easiest harvest, some people plant Climbing Yam in a 3-4 foot tall box with one collapsible side located near a trellis or other support. When you are ready to harvest you can simply drop the side and carefully excavate your prize. Because the vine takes a couple of years before it blooms or produces bulbils, you might want to keep edible and ornamental plantings separate. One plant can produce 5-10 pounds of tubers.
Dr. Yao™: Prized for its exceptionally large and tasty tubers, this popular variety is widely used in Chinese cooking.
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