Actinidia (Kiwi) - Guides
Meet the kiwi clan, a group of vigorous climbers that turn simple structures into leafy tunnels and fruit factories. The genus Actinidia spans hardy, smooth skinned kiwiberries, classic fuzzy greens, sun bright golds, and a couple of dazzling ornamentals. If you have a sunny spot and a sturdy trellis, there is an Actinidia for you.
Actinidia arguta (Hardy Kiwi): Think bite size kiwiberries you eat whole. A. arguta thrives in cooler climates, racing along wires to make a lush privacy screen. Most cultivars need a male for pollination, while compact options like ‘Issai’ suit containers and smaller spaces.
Actinidia deliciosa (Green, Fuzzy Kiwi): The supermarket classic. Fuzzy brown skin, emerald flesh, tangy sweet flavor. Vines are powerful growers, so give them a strong T bar or pergola. Typically grown in mild climates with a reliable winter chill and a male pollinizer nearby.
Actinidia chinensis (Golden Kiwi): Smooth to lightly fuzzy bronze skin and golden flesh with mellow, tropical notes. Less cold hardy than green kiwi, so it shines in warm, long season gardens. Match male and female bloom timing for dependable crops.
Actinidia kolomikta (Arctic Kiwi, Variegated Kiwi Vine): A showstopper for foliage alone. Leaves splash with white and pink as the season warms, making pergolas glow even before fruit arrives. Exceptionally cold tolerant and perfect where winters bite hard.
Actinidia polygama (Silver Vine): Silvery, white brushed leaves bring sparkle to shade structures. Fruit is smaller and grown less for eating than for its luminous canopy and pollinator friendly flowers.
