This is THE most commented-on plant in my garden, and here are the answers to FAQs:
- Yes, it’ll bear fruit — someday. My three vines finally started flowering a couple of years ago (after 6 years in place), so I have hope. In colder climates it can take 10 years for plants to produce fruit.
- And no, the fruit won’t look like those furry brown things we get in the grocery store. They’re the size of large grapes and reportedly delicious with cereal.
- They require male and female plants together to flower and fruit.
- They’re deciduous (leaf-dropping) but definitely woody.
- Happy with a half-day or more of sun.
- They’ll grow at least a foot a week during the season, so I warn that it’ll “eat your house” if you’re not careful. Think kudzu.
- And like possibly all vines, it’s high-maintenance (though I see some sources saying otherwise, which makes me wonder if they’ve grown it).
They’re native to temperate East Asia.
There are two species of hardy kiwi. A. kolomitka is the hardier of the two (down to -40 degrees F). The variegated selection ‘Arctic Beauty’ (photo right) with amazing pink, white and green leaves, prefers some shade, but also didn’t survive for me. If it does for you, let me know how you grew it! Actinidia arguta is hardy to -25 degrees F.
Uses
It will climb onto anything, but not necessarily where you want it to go. I’ve trained mine to be where I want it, and prune like crazy to keep it 
within bounds. Suggested supports are trellises, arbors, patio overheads, fences and walls. Excellent for privacy screening or, in the photo below of my deck, to soften large expanses of hardscape.
Details
- Hardy in Zones 4-8, depending on the type.
- Woody, deciduous (not evergreen).
- Small white blooms in spring.
- Fruit is high in Vitamin C.
- One female plant can yield 250 pounds of fruit in one season (!!)
Photo credit for this column: Missouri Botanical Garden.
