About
Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward' is a robust, deciduous vine that can reach heights of 10 meters. Its leaves are heart-shaped, growing as large as 20 centimeters, and its thick stems are adorned with reddish-brown hairs. In summer, the plant produces small clusters of creamy-white flowers, each measuring up to 4 centimeters in diameter. To achieve fruiting, it requires a male counterpart for pollination, resulting in the development of edible greenish-brown fruits that can grow up to 7 centimeters long in autumn.
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
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and a sheltered site. Prone to late frost and wind scorch damage. Male and female plants are needed for fruit set, unless a self-fertile cultivar is grown. See kiwi cultivation for further details
- Pruning
- When grown for fruit, pruning is carried out in winter and summer
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings taken in the spring or by whip and tongue grafting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus and phytophthora root rot