Actinidia kolomikta (common name Variegated Kiwi Vine) is recommended for zone 4 to 8. My Aktinidia usually blooms in May but this year due to the cold spring the blooming time changed to July :-).
Kiwi vine can grow in full sun to part shade. In my garden it grows near the cottage wall that protects it from cold North wind.
I love its foliage color that changes to partly white/pink when the abundant slightly fragrant flowers appear on Kiwi vine branches. The flowers are often hidden by the foliage. As this species is dioecious it is said: 'If growing for fruit production, plant one male plant for every three to four females. If growing only for ornamental foliage and flowers, consider planting any plants'.
I'm not sure what kind my Actinidia is, but it's pollinated every May-June and at the end of August I have a good harvest of small Kiwi. The greenish-yellow edible berries are sweet-sour, very soft. Therefore it's better to collect them in mid-mature stage to not to сrumple the juicy berries.
Did you know about this plant before? Perhaps you have Variegated Kiwi vine (Actinidia kolomikta) in your garden, what is your experience in growth and in use?
Hello Nadezda, I never had this beautiful vine in my garden but I've seen them in many houses used to cover walls. I am amazed at the range flexibility of this plant that can thrive in places with such huge climatic differences! Greetings from Argentina!
ReplyDeleteYou're right MDN, actinidia can grow in different climates, is hardy up to -25 C and tolerant to hot sun.
DeleteHappy new week!
What gorgeous photos, Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda!
DeleteНадежда,актинидия у нас растет в Поволжье,но я никак не соберусь ее развести.Спасибо за информацию.
ReplyDeleteУ вам спасибо, Надежда за комментарий!
DeleteBeautiful! I tried growing a male and a female kiwi plant several years back. I had gorgeous leaves reaching over an arbor, but I never got any fruit. After a couple of years of hoping, I gave up and replaced it. Nice to see these wonderful shots. Congrats on getting fruit. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's pity Judy your actinidia had no fruit, perhaps it was male plant -(
DeleteThe fruit I harvest are small and soft ones, they drop down if I'm late to gather them.
No lo conocía y me encanta, yo los tengo de los comunes. Besitos y buena tarde.
ReplyDeleteAhora tu sabes que esto es actinia y puedes plantar en tu jardin, Teresa.
DeleteI have never tried growing Kiwi before, so I found your post to be informative. Since it thrives in your colder climate, it must be very hardy. Thank you for sharing and Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Lee.
DeleteActinidia kolomikta is enough hardy, it hasn't been never frozen or damaged by frost. Some years only the end of branches suffered from ice.
This is so pretty! I've heard of kiwi vine before, but I've never really noticed it before. If it can take some shade, I have the perfect spot for one. How nice to get some fruit from it, too!
ReplyDeleteRose, it needs a bit of sun to bloom, and of course to fruit. Mine grows near the wall in part shade, having sun up to 3 pm.
DeleteHave a nice day!
La natura ci regala sempre belle cose.
ReplyDeleteBuona serata
Las cosas de natulaleza siempre son lindas, Giancarlo, gracie!
DeleteHola Nadezda. No conocía esa variedad de kiwi. Aquí en Galicia hay mucha producción del que se recoge en otoño, el clima es el adecuado. Abrazos!
ReplyDeletePuede ser que un dia tu lo encuentras, Tania. Este es bastante facil cultivar.
DeleteI've admired the lovely foliage of this vine in other gardens in our area but haven't grown it myself. Yours is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter!
DeleteI wish our edible kiwi would take note and produce fruits. We just need the male to decide to flower,
ReplyDeleteSue, I have no male plant too, I have no idea how it's pollinated every year. Perhaps bumblebees fly far away:-)
DeleteThat´s really pretty Actinidia kolomikta. I have it also, but I have never seen such a fantastic plant you have growed.
ReplyDeleteIt's tall vine, it lies on the trellis and grows longer.
DeleteI especially like the beautiful white flowers! How does the fruit taste? Groetjes Hetty
ReplyDeleteThe fruit are sweet-sour, Hetty and are very soft, when ripen they drop down. I eat them fresh.
DeleteSuch beautiful photos. Beautiful flowers and leaves.:)) Happy new week for you.:))
ReplyDeleteThank you Agnieszka, happy Tuesday!
DeleteThis is for the first time I can explore kiwi plant. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Endah. I think actinidia goes well to your climate.
DeleteI don't grow this in my own garden, but they have several large specimens at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
ReplyDeleteI think the Chicago Botanic Garden propagate this vine, Jason.
DeleteOlá. lindas belas flores que valorizam o seu maravilhoso jardim as fotos são lindas.
ReplyDeleteAG
Si las flores son lindas Antonio, gracias.
DeleteHello dear Nadezda.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful relationship from the garden. Tez grows kiwi in my garden.
This is a wonderful plant. Your photos are always great.
Greetings.
Lucja
Kiwi vine is a wonderful plant I agree, Lucja. I'm glad you grow it too.
DeleteWe have kiwi fruit here in New Zealand, & they grow on the vine. I think it's the same thing. The name comes from the word Kiwi that is often used for New Zealanders. The Kiwi is our unique bird that feeds on the forest wings because it doesn't fly.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about a bird kiwi, Juliet, it's interesting!
DeleteI think the both plants are from the same botanic family, however the fruit are the same.
I wish I could grow kiwi where I am because I love the variegated leaves. Does not get cold enough here.
ReplyDeleteSo do I! Variegated leaves of kiwi liana decorate the garden in early summer.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, Southern Rural Route!