Actinidia deliciosa
Chinese gooseberry, Kiwi fruit
Also known as Actinidia deliciosa chinensis, Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa, Actinidia chinensis, Actinidia chinensis (Kiwi Fruit)
- Height × spread
- 8m × 8m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A sturdy climber which can grow up to 9m (29ft), <I>Actinidia deliciosa </I> has large, attractive, heart-shaped leaves which are downy on the underside and held on hairy, reddish shoots. The leaves take on lovely reddish autumn tints. The fragrant, creamy white flowers arise on the previous year's wood and appear all summer. For the female to bear kiwi fruit, which are particularly high in vitamin C, there must be a separate male plant to act as pollinator. This plant can make an imposing specimen especially when grown against a wall to give it protection.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Red
- Fruit colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 8m
- Spread
- 8m
- Height in 10 years
- 6m
- Spread in 10 years
- 6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Screening, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter - late · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
For an ornamental plant, remove dead or damaged branches or growth that looks very untidy. Trim back if needed to keep it within bounds. For fruit plants, cut back all the spreading branches, reducing them so there are only 3 or 4 buds on each stalk.