About
Actinidia arguta 'Ken's Red' is a deciduous, vigorous climbing plant characterized by its twining growth and simple ovate foliage. The small cream-white flowers are female and require either a male partner or a self-fertile variety to set fruit. In autumn, this plant produces edible pale red berries. For optimal fruit ripening, it should be planted in a sunny, sheltered location.
About the genus
Actinidia consists of robust, primarily deciduous climbing plants that twine as they grow. The leaves are typically simple and ovate, with some species exhibiting variegation. Female or hermaphrodite plants produce small cup-shaped flowers, which may yield edible fruits.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Requires sun and preferably a neutral to acidic, well-drained but moist soil. Will also require support, in the form of wires, trellis or pergola. See Kiwi cultivation.
- Pruning
- See kiwi pruning and training.
- Propagation
- May be propagated by softwood cuttings, grafting or layering.
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus and phytophthora root rot