Actinidia arguta 'Issai'

42.14945602, -87.79233551

42.14946365, -87.79233551

Issai Hardy Kiwi

Did you know you can grow kiwis right in your own back yard?  The fruit of 'Issai' kiwi vine is a
cousin of the familiar grocery store kiwis. The berries have the same sweet-and-citrus taste, maybe a little
sweeter. But they're bite-sized and smooth skinned so you can pop them in your mouth like grapes. 
There's more good news. Unlike so many kiwi vines, 'Issai' is self polinating. It doesn't need a male vine nearby to bear fruit. 'Issai'
is hardy to -25, so you can be confident Chicago winters
won't faze it.  And it's happy in full sun or
part shade, though you'll get a better crop iin full sun. However, it will need frequent pruning and strong
support...the vines are large and heavy and bear about 100 pounds of
berries a year.  A note of warning to cat owners: this vine smells like
catnip to cats, and they may harm foliage or dig at the roots.
Soil:
Moderate
Plant Shape:
Creeping
Exposure:
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Bloom Time:
May - June
Bloom Color:
White
Landscape Use:
Vine
Wildlife Interest:
Attracts Birds
Plant Type:
Vine
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8