About
Actinidia deliciosa 'Solo' is a robust, deciduous climbing plant that can reach heights of up to 5 meters. It features fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves that are a vibrant mid-green, complemented by young stems that display a rusty red-brown hue. In the fall, the foliage turns yellow, adding seasonal interest. During late spring or early summer, this variety produces small clusters of fragrant cream-white blossoms. These are succeeded by fuzzy, brown, egg-shaped kiwi fruits, which can be harvested when the first frosts of autumn arrive. Notably, 'Solo' is self-fertile, meaning it does not require another plant for pollination.
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
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