Hardy Kiwi
(Actinidia arguta)
Most people have at least seen, if not actually eaten, the typical fuzzy kiwis sold in stores (also known as Chinese kiwi), but most people have never even heard of their hardy kiwi counterparts, nor about how they can be grown in much, much colder regions than the fuzzy kiwis can. Hardy Kiwis fruits are smaller than fuzzy kiwis (more the size of a large grape) but they are also smooth skinned so they can be eaten without peeling and they have much sweeter, and even more pleasant flavors than fuzzy kiwis. They are good for you too, with almost 20 times the vitamin C content of oranges! Hardy kiwi fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. They are delicious fresh off the vine, but they can also be used to make pie fillings, jams, and so much more. Even if Hardy Kiwi didn't produce fruit, you'd want to grow it as a decorative broad-leafed flowering vine that is not troubled by insects or disease. These vines grow fast once established and can quickly cover a trellis or arbor. The fragrant flowers (about the size of a quarter) resemble clematis and tend to be quite profuse at maturity. |
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Anna (Female) Hardy Kiwi
One of the most popular varieties for gardeners and commercial growers alike Anna's attractive, light green fruit, is very sweet with a pineapple aroma and taste (hence it's full Russian name Ananasnaya which means 'Pineapple-like'). Fruit size is average to above average in size, weighing up to ½ oz, and the fruits are usually clustered like grapes. Hardy to -25°F (USDA zone 5).
Must be planted near a Male Hardy Kiwi in order to produce fruit.
Ken's Red (Female) Hardy Kiwi
Named for it's creator, the late New Zealand horticulturist Ken Nobbs, Ken's Red bears good crops of very large, sweet, and tasty fruit with reddish purple skin and flesh. Hardy to -20°F (USDA zone 5).
Must be planted near a Male Hardy Kiwi in order to produce fruit.
Michigan State (Female) Hardy Kiwi
This valuable, very productive variety is prized for its exceptionally large fruit and delicious flavor. Michigan State's lime green fruit can weigh up to 1 oz. Hardy to -20°F (USDA zone 5).
Must be planted near a Male Hardy Kiwi in order to produce fruit.
Hardy Red (Female) Hardy Kiwi
This unique species of Hardy Kiwi bears good crops of striking, cranberry-red fruit with red flesh. Very popular in taste tests, these delicious Kiwis are prized for their sweet-tart flavor.
Must be planted near a Male Hardy Kiwi in order to produce fruit.
Male Hardy Kiwi
Covered with fragrant, bright white flowers in May, this attractive, vigorous and easy-to-grow variety can be used to pollinate all our female Hardy Kiwi varieties. One male plant can pollinate up to 8 female plants. Male plants bear pollen, NOT fruit. Hardy to -20°F (USDA zone 5).
This male plant does not produce fruit but does produce pollen which is necessary for the female Hardy Kiwi plants to produce fruit.