Hardy Kiwi 'Issai'

Actinidia arguta 'Issai' | Also known as: Tara Vine 'Issai' | Rating: 5 votes | Print / Pdf

Actinidia arguta 'Issai' or Hardy Kiwi ‘Issai’ is a good choice if you want a climbing plant for your wall or trellises. The fruit are small, about an inch long, but they are still edible and very sweet, containing 20% natural sugars and eight times more vitamin C than an orange. You can eat them whole and they grow in abundance. If you want a fruit-producing plant that isn't a huge tree and will give you plenty of fruit, then this is a good choice. The plant is also very pretty to look at, with trailing leaves and delicate flowers.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 8
Spread [m]
  • 8
Dominant flower colour
  • White
Flower Fragrance
  • Yes, let it smell
Flowering seasons
  • Early summer
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Growth habit
  • Climbing
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z3-8
Heat zone
  • H8-1
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -40 - -7
Heat days
  • 0 - 120
Moisture
  • well-drained
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • sandy
  • Clay
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Fruits & nuts
  • Fruits
Grown for
  • Ornamental foliage and Edible fruit
Creative category
  • Kid Approved
  • Simple food
  • Fine fragrants
  • For Beginners
  • Outdoor food
  • For birds & bees
  • Tough survivors
Garden type
  • Cottage garden
  • Kitchen garden
Garden spaces
  • Walls, trellises and pergolas
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • up to 10 years
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1 Related plants
Actinidia arguta Issai

Hardy Kiwi

PLANTS Actinidia arguta

Actinidia arguta or Hardy Kiwi is a climbing plant. It has white cup shaped flowers with a lovely scent, and edible fruit. The fruit of the Hardy Kiwi is similar to the kiwi fruit you'll be familiar with from the supermarket but the skin is smooth rather than hairy. You can eat them whole, with the skin on, they're even sweeter than the usual kiwi fruit. This plant will grow easily up a trellis or a wall. It's very hardy and survives well in low temperatures. It's also pretty fast growing.