Actinidia
Kiwi
Actinidiaceae
Deciduous, Edible fruit, Vines
Genus of about 40 species of deciduous climbers from Asia. Most are grown for their delicious fruit, but several have attractive foliage and interesting, fragrant flowers.
Most kiwi vines are grown for delicious fruit (see Kiwi to learn about them), but this eastern Asian species is grown for its flamboyant foliage. Grows rapidly to 15 ft. or more, producing a marvelous foliage mass made up of 3–5-in.-long leaves with elongated heart shape: some in solid green, others white-splashed green, and others green heavily variegated in pink to red.
Female varieties produce a bonus crop of small fruits, but male plants (which are non fruiting) typically have better leaf color. Colors are best in cool weather and–in warmer zones–in partial shade. Clusters of small, fragrant, white flowers appear in early summer.
Plants climb by twining; provide sturdy support and train new stems into place as they lengthen. Thin out growth in late dormant season.
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