Actinidia arguta (f/F)

RHS Plant Profile

hardy kiwi

Other common names

bower actinidia, bower vine, kokuwa, Siberian gooseberry, tara vine, yang-tao

Climber Wall Shrub Fruit Edible

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A very vigorous deciduous climber reaching many meters in length. This hardy kiwi has leathery green leaves and white flowers which, for pollinated female flowers, may become smooth-skinned green fruits. These are smaller but sweeter than the varities sold in supermarkets

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Actinidiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Actinidia are vigorous, mostly deciduous, twining climbers with simple ovate leaves which are variegated in some species. Small cup-shaped flowers may be followed on female or hermaphrodite plants by edible fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China, Japan, Korea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, acid to neutral soil, in a sheltered position - ideally against a wall and trained as an espalier. For more advice see kiwi cultivation. Both a male and female are needed for fruit

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Climber and wall shrubs
Edible fruit

Pruning

Requires regular pruning to keep under control. For more advice see kiwi cultivation

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and phytophthora root rot