Hardy Kiwi 'Issai'

Kiwi 'Issai' is a vigorous, fast-growing, woody vine that grows quite tall and can fill a 200 sq. ft. trellis in time. Its foliage remains a lustrous green throughout the growing season. Slightly fragrant, greenish white flowers appear in May-June and this cultivar does not require a separate male pollinator plant.

This variety is closely related to the traditional kiwi fruit which is found in stores, but it has the advantage of a hairless skin so does not need peeling. Fruit is about 1½ ins (4cm) long and is extremely high in vitamin C, delicious and very sweet. The fruit tastes similar to, though slightly sweeter than, its larger-fruited relative, the true kiwi, Actinidia deliciosa, which can not be grown below a Zone 8.