Regarding propagation, the only suggestion I can think of that would be worth trying is to layer some stems that come down to the ground.

Bend the stem/s down and bury them at the touching point and use a tent peg to hold the stem down. Cover this with soil and place a stone or brick on top too if you like. Hopefully there is also excess stem beyond the buried point that you can tie up to a cane stuck in the ground. It will probably take a good year to make roots. If you can, leave perhaps two years before severing from the parent.

One additional tip, use a sharp knife to take a thin slice of bark off one side of the part that gets buried. This will callus over and generate root tissue quicker.

Regarding the lack of flowers, Akebia's need a warm spring to generate flowers for later so some years will be better than others. I wonder if restricting the roots would help? You could try periodically severing the root ball edge with a spade.

Perhaps if your layerings take, you could re-plant with one of these but dig a hole large enough to floor and wall it with five 2 x 2 paving stones. This will restrict the main rootball but will still allow a couple of roots out too. They use this technique for Figs to make them fruit more prolifically and restrict their vigour.

Ours layers itself all over the place. I spend as much time digging them out as I do with removing other weeds. Flowers well too. It is sandwiched between a path and the lawn so that might be helping it and it faces South east.

Thanks Fractaln and Ob., I tried layering and serpentine cuttings a while back, but no go. I didn't realise that it needed root restriction. So if i'm going to reduce the root ball, i may as well try and move it at the same time. Won't be doing it til feb anyway. But it might also find the altitude a bit of a sulky issue.

You are not that far away from us, so if you get really desperate I could always pot a piece up for you.

Thanks Owdboggy, That's really kind of you and I will keep it in mind.

Right will leave a rooted piece to grow on then, just in case. Easy enough to dig one up and wrap it in moss for sending.

Hi OB, thats a wonderful idea. Thank you so much.