Plants are routinely categorised as deciduous or evergreen. Often the distinction is clear. At this time of year we see lots of bare trees but some still have their greenery e.g. Holly. In fact even evergreens drop leaves at some point (spring in the case of Holly) but have sufficient new growth to be considered evergreen.

 Also there is an intermediate category referred to as semi-evergreen (or semi-deciduous). Strictly speaking this relates to plants that shed their foliage over a short period and rejuvenate quickly. It can also apply to plants when they are affected by prevailing conditions.

 This Chocolate Vine (Akebia quinata) sprawling all over the porch has always dropped its leaves entirely during autumn. This year however it retains some even as new buds are starting to form. I thought the cold snap before Christmas would finish off the last leaves but no. Perhaps it's due to the otherwise mild winter we're having. Or perhaps it's because the drought of last summer seemed to make the vine more vigorous rather than less.