A new fruit for Southern growers. Kiwi fruit brings a pretty price in the supermarket, and it is easy to understand why, when it boasts the flavors of pineapple, strawberry and melon. It is really like eating a fruit salad! Two kinds of kiwis can be grown-- the more familiar fuzzy kiwi and the more cold tolerant smooth kiwi.

Kiwis grow on a large, rambling, deciduous vine with broad, deep green leaves and soft, white undersides. New growth is covered with velvety red hairs. In May, the vines burst forth with large, white blossoms that fill the air with a heavenly perfume. Harvesting begins while the fruit is still hard in October. Fruit can be stored in a cool place up to 6 months.

Kiwis prefer well-drained soils and part to full sun. Trellis for best results.

   Click Here for the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find out your areas hardiness zone.

Fuzzy Varieties (Actinidia deliciosa)

DARLENE'S FUZZY FEMALE Oh, the amazing randomness of genetics and chance! This delicious, hardy fuzzy kiwi came to us from Darlene Reynolds of Tallahassee, FL. Yet the origin of this plant started with Darlene’s friends Annie and John Barbas. John bought a kiwi from the grocery store and started the seeds in their garage on a whim! After 3 years of nuturing they passed on three plants to Darlene. Fortunately one was a male and the other two were females. Darlene cultivated the plants for 20 years and they have grown into the massive arbor you see on the right. The fruit is as large and oblong as any fuzzy kiwi from New Zealand and tastes wonderful. Only the female vines produce fruit. Need a Barbas Male for cross pollination. Zone 8B. $34.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

BARBAS FUZZY MALE No fruit on this vine, but it's needed to pollinate the Darlene's Fuzzy Female. One male plant for every 3-4 female plants is recommended. Zone 8B. $34.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

MALE TOMURI Tomuri (Maori for “late-blooming”) is a fuzzy kiwi, bred to pollinate females of the same type (usually “Vincent”). One male can pollinate up to 4-5 females in a row, or if centrally located between them, 8-10. Tomuri is a lovely vigorous vine (like all kiwi) and has big heart-shaped leaves and large creamy white flowers in spring, making it a fantastic landscaping feature. Will not bear fruit. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

VINCENT Even though she's named Vincent, this is the female fuzzy kiwi looking for Tomuri. She's a tasty egg-sized fruit, similar to what you are accustomed to buying in the grocery store. Bred for warmer climates, she requires only 100 chill units, and a growing season of 240 frost-free days to sweeten the fruit. Fruit set is most successful when the winter temperature drops below 32, and Vincent is hardy to 10-15 degrees when mature. Can be grown successfully in a large pot if trellised adequately. Harvest in October. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

Arguta Varieties (Actinidia arguta)

Arguta kiwis are the smooth-skinned cousins of the fuzzy or A. deliciosa kiwi. The plants are more cold tolerant and less vigorous. The bite-sized fruit is eaten skin and all and has a sweeter flavor than the fuzzy kiwi. Many varieties have been developed, some with very unusual skin and flesh coloring.

ANANASNAYA Also know as Anna, this hardy variety does well on the northern edge of Zone 6. Large red-blushed skin with a green center. Tangy sweet with a pineapple aroma hence the name, Ananasnaya, which means pineapple-like in Russian. Ripens late August-September. Needs a male pollinator. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

ISSAI A great flavored Japanese variety and it's self-fertile! Ripens late August-September. Self-fertile. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

KEN'S RED Ken did a good job on this hardy kiwi. It's one of the largest arguta kiwis, and about as pretty as they come. Red skinned when ripe, with juicy very sweet red flesh. This is a low-chill variety, reliably grown in the Gulf states. Needs a male pollinator. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

MALE ARGUTA Pollinates up to 4 females. Use with all female Arguta chinensis. Doesn't fruit. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).


Just the Facts
Not sure what to do with kiwi fruit or how to grow them right? DON'T PANIC! Push the panic button and we will give you "Just the Facts" you need to successfully grow them.

Are we out of what you are looking for? Email us at Justfruits@hotmail.com and we'll put you on the "Call When Available" list. We will call you!

Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 Saint Frances St. Crawfordville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).