Arctic and Hardy Kiwis
Arctic and Hardy Kiwis
These unique, hardy vines produce small fruits that resemble the kiwis you buy in the grocery store, minus the fuzzy peel. An excellent treat for those looking for something a little different for their garden!
We offer both Arctic and Hardy kiwis. Both require a male and female vine for pollination and fruit set (unless you are planting a self-pollinating variety). Keep in mind that only Arctic kiwis can only pollinate other Arctic kiwis and Hardy kiwis can only pollinate other Hardy kiwis. One male kiwi can pollinate as many as 6-8 female kiwis.
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6 products
6 products
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: 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.
Interested in some more in depth info? Check out this article from the Maine Organic Gardeners and Farmers Association.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
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.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
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.
Available only for pick-up at nursery.
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.
Interested in some more in depth info? Check out this article from the Maine Organic Gardeners and Farmers Association.