About
Actinidia deliciosa Solissimo ('Renact' PBR) is a robust, climbing plant that sheds its leaves in winter. It features thick stems adorned with reddish-brown hairs and broad, heart-shaped leaves that are mid-green and slightly fuzzy. In early summer, it produces clusters of typically two to three creamy white flowers, which are succeeded by fuzzy, egg-shaped brown fruits that mature by the onset of autumn frosts.
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
- Sand, Loam, Clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but 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
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Fragrance
- Flower
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.
- Pruning
- When grown for fruit, pruning is carried out in winter and summer. See kiwi fruit pruning and training.
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in the spring or propagate by layering. Named cultivars can be grafted using whip and tongue grafting
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus and phytophthora root rot