I grow Kolomikta vine (Actinidia kolomikta) with unusual, variegated leaves,
splashed with pink and white.
I love its ornamental, twining branches.
This year I’ve taken Aktinidia photos from April to October.
Here they are.
Kolomikta vine blooms in May - June with small flowers; their fragrance similar to that of lily-of-the-valley.
During the flowering its leaves turn pink-white color, and I think that a plant is happy
Note by Kew Royal Botanic Gardens:
Actinidia kolomikta was described as a new species in 1856 by the Russian botanist Carl Johann Maximowicz (1827-1891) from specimens he collected in the northern Amur River valley in Manchuria. The specific epithet derives from the local name for the plant – ‘kolomikta’ or ‘kotomikta’.
It was introduced to Great Britain by Charles Maries (1851-1902), an English plantsman who travelled through China and Japan. However, the climber was already known and grown in France and the United States by then.
Actinidia kolomikta is related to the Chinese gooseberry, the fruits of which are grown commercially in New Zealand and marketed as kiwi fruits. In Russia in particular, the smaller, edible fruits of A. kolomikta are also popular, but both male and female plants are needed for pollination and the production of fruit.
http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Actinidia-kolomikta.htm
That vine is totally strange to me. Great pictures and that's an interesting plant. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSatu, Aktinidia isn't very popular here too. Many gardeners who want to grow it have only one plant but as the Kew writes in note 'both male and female plants are needed for pollination'. I really don't know what plant it's: male or female and how it was pollinated. But I have tasty fruits. Thank you!
DeleteWhat a wonderful series of pictures. I love those variegated leaves!
ReplyDeleteLona, the plant is very variegated during blooming. Thank you!
DeleteHello Dear Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteLovely all the photos.
Actinidia is a beautiful vine with wonderful fruit.
Maybe a little less than a kiwi fruit.
Actinidia fruits are also delicious.
I send greetings.
Lucia.
Lucia, I see you tasted Kolomikta fruits and you liked them. They are much less kiwi but the taste is very similar,isn't it? Thank you!
DeleteHi Nadezda! I have never heard of this plant, but the leaves are pretty. About the only thing that likes my Nepeta is the thrips.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't a cat you might grow Kolomikta, because the NZ kiwi lianas grow not so far from your garden! The thrips don't like it, you'll have tasty fruits. Thank you!
DeleteWhat beautiful leaves! I love the pink variegation. Are these related to the kiwi fruit with the brown fuzzy skin?
ReplyDeleteTammy, there is a note under the text, where Kew Garden Org (UK) writes:' Actinidia kolomikta is related to the Chinese gooseberry, the fruits of which are grown commercially in New Zealand and marketed as kiwi fruits'. So, yes, they are. Thank you!
DeleteI love this vine, and I grew it until this year. Sadly, I did not have it planted in a very good spot (too wet, too shady), so I ended up taking it out. The male vines get more of the pretty pink coloration you show. The females get the little gooseberry fruits, and I did get a few on my vine. After seeing this post, I want to replant actinidia -- I miss it in my garden!
ReplyDeleteLaurrie, thank you and finally I know that I have the female plant! There were a little pink leaves. Now I am wondering where the pollinator is? I didn't see any actinidia around in other gardens.
DeleteNow here’s a plant I don’t grow, perhaps I’ll try it. I am not sure that it will survive in my soil, I must look up what conditions it requires.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a very attractive plant.
Hi, Frico! It's a very simple plant, I grow it on the south-east side. As it can be male or female plant you need both of them or only female if neighbor grows another one. Thank you!
DeleteWhat an interesting vine, Nadezda, it must be so beautiful with its pinkish leaves and perfumed white flowers. Do you eat the fruits, or make something with them?
ReplyDeleteAktinidia is about 7 years, I suppose.This summer I had a cup of fruits, and ate all! They are tasty like kiwi. I hope I'll have more harvest the next year. Thank you, Rosemary!
DeleteHi Nadezda
ReplyDeleteThis plant was a new one for me!! Very interesting! I love the flower, the fruits and the winding branches.
Astrid, if you like fruit kiwi and then you understand the taste of Kolomikta fruit. The flowers are small but have nice fragrance. Thank you!
DeleteHello Nadezda girl !
ReplyDeleteWe share the same vine .. but I have another that has plain green leaves but bears the "gooseberry" type fruit.
My colourfull vine had a terrible year this past season .. the heat and drought got to it and my Sweet Autumn clematis over ran it .. I have to make sure that doesn't happen next year.
They are such pretty vines though .. I am happy to see we share yet another plant!
Joy : )
Joy,I'm glad we have the same lianas. Here this summer wasn't hot and rainy so my Kolomikta grew well,but I had not much harvest. Thank you!
DeleteIt's a very pretty pretty vine, and how nice to be able to grow kiwis without the fuzzy skins!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love it, is very simple to grow. Thank you!
DeleteSuch a wonderfully beautiful plant to grow. I've been wanting to plant a kiwi and just recently came across a mini kiwi with edible skin, it was like popping a kiwi grape in my mouth.
ReplyDeleteYou can grow Aktinidia, of course, and have mini kiwi in your garden. I'm sure you'll like their taste.
DeleteThank you, Barb!