Kiwiberries

A fruit with a very bright future, kiwiberries (Actinidia arguta) make an exciting addition to your home orchard or commercial vineyard.  These cold-hardy, climbing vines produce attractive, grape-sized berries with an intense tropical taste that do not require peeling.  Sweet and tart and high in bioactive compounds, the kiwiberry is a smooth-skinned relative of the fuzzy supermarket kiwi but is far superior in flavor.  Ripened kiwiberries may be consumed fresh or incorporated into a wide range of desserts, savory dishes, smoothies, and value-added products (preserves, spirits, fruit leathers, etc.).  Kiwiberry vines require full sun, a sturdy trellis, and intensive management to realize their full potential.  Depending on the variety, kiwiberries may be grown successfully in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 – 4b, with the species generally capable of surviving temperatures as low as -25°F (-31°C) when dormant.  Please note that all kiwifruit species are dioecious, with female and male varieties.  To produce fruit on female vines, you must have a male vine nearby (recommended commercial practice is 1 male for every 6-8 females).