our akebia has brown spots on the leaves can any one advise what the cause is

Don't worry too much, the problem is usually fungal and wet-related. You do know your plant can quadruple or more in size?

This plant responds well to hard pruning and regrows quickly. The leaves will fall off soon anyway and should come back cleanly next year. Have you fed it at all? Sprinkle some granular slow release fertiliser round it in spring.

Mine usually stays evergreen???? Is that according to the temps we get in the winter?