Kiwi Vines (Actinidia) on espaliers

Kiwi Vines

Actinidia arguta / deliciosa (chinensis) / kolomikta

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Climbing Plants - Summary

Fruit of Actinidia deliciosa

Fruit of the Kiwi / Chinese Gooseberry (A. deliciosa), 10cent piece for size comparison

Kiwi Vine Actinidia chinensis

Kiwi / Chinese Gooseberry left unpruned

Female flowers of Kiwi Vine

True Kiwi or Chinese Gooseberry: Female flowers with radiating pistils that gave rise to its German common name “Strahlengriffel”

Actinida chinensis male flowers

Male flowers of Actinidia chinensis

Chinese Gooseberry

Chinese Gooseberry, the early shoots appear simultaneously with flowering tulips etc

Chinese Gooseberry on tension cables

Actinidia deliciosa in winter

Chinese Gooseberry in winter. Its vigorous - and difficult to control - growth habit is clearly visible.

Actinidia kolomikta

The ornamental Kolomikta Vine

Kolamikta Vine, most likely “Clara Zeltkin” from Mitschurin

The Kiwi Vines are in great demand for their fruit and beautiful foliage. There are 3 species:

Kiwi / Chinese Gooseberry

(Actinidia deliciosa) Produces the famous Kiwi fruit. Originally from Asia and distributed from New Zealand, there are now also plantations in Southern Europe. Very vigorous shoot growth, young shoots hairy and rusty coloured. A well-known cultivar is “Hayworth” (“Hayward”). “Jenny” is monoecious (see below) and bears smaller fruit. Pruning is complex, professional training similar to the Horizontal Cordon. If not trained properly, can cause damage to buildings similar to Wisteria. Refer below for suitable growth support systems. Medium, but better Heavy Duty Systems.

Hardy Kiwi / Baby Kiwi / Dessert Kiwi / CocktailL Kiwi (Actinidia arguta)

This plant originates from Japan, China and Korea. Fruit is small, but fruit bearing is guaranteed, a plant with modest requirements and low maintenance. Yearly pruning to thin out growth. Growth less vigorous than A. deliciosa. Smooth, red-brown and non-hairy shoots. Grows to about 8m height. Yellow autumn colouring! The cultivar “Issai” is monoecious (see below) . Due to their high frost resistance, it is even possible to grow them in pots, given the right conditions. For suitable growth support systems, see below. Medium, but preferably Heavy Duty Growth Support Systems.

Kiwi / Kolomikta Vine (Actinidia kolomikta)

Similar to the Kolomikta Vine is the “Silver Vine” or "Polygamous Kiwi" (Actinidia polygama), however its fruit is bitter. An ornamental Kiwi with filigree foliage, male plants have white/pink leaf points in early summer. Grows only to about 2-3m. Shrubby twiner, sometimes blue/black fruit on female plants. For smaller espaliers, wire rope systems as for Clematis. Medium as well as Heavy Duty Support Systems.

Requirements for all Actinidia species

Sunny and warm Position, sheltered from wind to promote fruit ripening. The “true” Kiwi or Chinese Gooseberry (Actinidia deliciosa) is only suitable for wine growing regions, other species can be grown in areas up to approx. 600m above sea level. Fresh, moist and humus rich garden soil is best; where position is dry, water regularly, but avoid water logging.

Growth and Leaves

Twining climbers with very healthy and long-lasting foliage, from April / May until October / November.

Flower and Fruit

(Yellow-) white flowers in June / July, mostly hidden under the leaves, A. deliciosa flowers already at the end of May. Leave the fruit on the plant until just before the first frost, to promote ripening and reduce the acidity. Extremely rich in Vitamin C and suitable for long storage with after-ripening (refrigerator). Apples stored next to the Kiwi fruit will speed up their ripening, but also their decay. Almost all species are dioecious, and fruit will only develop if both female and male plants are grown together.

Growth Support Systems

Refer above. Lightning conductors, downpipes, eave gutters etc are not to be reached by Actinidia species, always keep a distance of 1.5m to these and the gutters, to the side as well as to the top!