Arctic and Hardy Kiwis

Species: Actinidia kolomikta

History: September Sun is a Russian variety that was selected for its ample crops of large fruit. Its Russian name is Sentyabraskaya which translates to 'September' in English with a bit of a feminine sound to the name. 

Why We Grow It: September Sun is known for producing good-size crops of large, sweet fruits. These grape-like kiwis are a delightful treat for any yard, especially for growers in a colder area! It is also a great ornamental plant, featuring pinkish-white and green variegated leaves. 

Species: Actinidia arguta

History: Changbai Giant kiwis were discovered by the Changbai Mountain Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agriculture near the North Korean border. The variety was likely collected and propagated due to its unusual round shape and excellent flavour. Named for the Changbai Mountains where it was discovered, its name translates literally from Mandarin as 'perpetually white.' It is also named for the exceptionally large fruit it produces.

Why We Grow It: Aside from its interesting origins, Changbai Giant also boasts unusually shaped kiwis compared to other varieties: round like an apple rather than more oblong like other hardy kiwis. The fruit is also very sweet and the plant itself is a little hardier than some other varieties. Like other female varieties, it can produce a large crop of fruits and it is recommended that the vine be grown on a trellis or other kind of support. 

Species: Actinidia arguta

History: Geneva hardy kiwi was discovered growing in the Dr. Slate collection near the Cornell Experimental Station in Geneva, New York. It is named after the city of Geneva. A series of Geneva kiwis was bred and Geneva 3 was selected as the best-performing amongst all of them.

Why We Grow It: This variety produces medium-sized fruit with smooth skin so you can eat the whole kiwi! The delicious, honey-scented fruit can be enjoyed out of hand like grapes or made into preserves. You can also use it make a delicious and nutritious popsicle by pureeing it with some applesauce (or your favourite fruit) and a dab of honey, pouring it into molds, and freezing it. This vigorous vine can reach up for 40' long, so be prepared to prune, or trellis over 50lb of fruit per season. 

Species: Actinidia arguta

History: Prolific was created by the USDA and was formerly known as '119-40B.'  

Why We Grow It: Prolific stands out amongst its peers for several reasons! First off, it is a self-pollinating variety which means you do not need to plant a second male plant with Prolific in order to get fruit. Second, the medium fruit sports a unique red blush. And last but not least, the vine itself tends to stay more compact than some other varieties, making it a good option for those with limited space or who want an easier plant to manage. 

Species: Actinidia arguta

History: Meader hardy kiwi likely originated in Korea and was brought back to New Hampshire by botanist Edmund Meader, after whom it was named, in the 1960s. Meader has become one of the most common varieties of hardy kiwi since.

Why We Grow It: Meader is a male hardy kiwi, making it excellent for pollinating female varieties like Geneva and increasing pollination for Issai. Meader produces lovely flowers, but no fruit. It is an early blooming variety with a long period so it is compatible with most female varieties.

Interested in some more in depth info? Check out this article from the Maine Organic Gardeners and Farmers Association. 

Species: Actinidia arguta

History: Anna (aka Ananasnaya or Michurin's Pineapple) was created by Soviet plant breeder I.V. Michurin likely in the late 1800s or early 1900s. He created Anna, along with many other varieties, with the goal of breeding high-yielding plants of better quality that are more cold hardy. The flavour is reminiscent of pineapple so he named it Ananasnaya after the genus Ananas (which includes pineapples) and 'naya', a feminine suffix in Russian. Shortened to 'Anna' in North America, this variety remains commercially popular for its easy growth and propagation and reliable crops. 

Why We Grow It: Anna produces kiwis with a distinct red blush (with enough sun exposure) that are sweet with a little tartness. The flavour is tropical with hints of pineapple and citrus. These vigorous vines require a trellis or other support to climb across. Make sure you have a suitable support in place, a mature plant can produce over 50lb of fruit in one season!

Species: Actinidia arguta

History: There appears to be little information available on the origin of Opitz. It has likely been propagated for its late bloom time, making it compatible with some female varieties that are not pollinated by earlier blooming male varieties.  

Why We Grow It: Opitz is a later blooming male variety that is helpful for pollinating late blooming female Hardy Kiwis like Anna and Chang Bai. It grows vigorously and is known to flower profusely.