A new fruit for Southern growers. Kiwi fruit brings a pretty price in the supermarket, and it is easy to understand why, when it boasts the flavors of pineapple, strawberry and melon. It is really like eating a fruit salad! Two kinds of kiwis can be grown-- the more familiar fuzzy kiwi and the more cold tolerant smooth kiwi.

Kiwis grow on a large, rambling, deciduous vine with broad, deep green leaves and soft, white undersides. New growth is covered with velvety red hairs. In May, the vines burst forth with large, white blossoms that fill the air with a heavenly perfume. Harvesting begins while the fruit is still hard in October. Fruit can be stored in a cool place up to 6 months.

Kiwis prefer well-drained soils and part to full sun. Trellis for best results.

Fuzzy Varieties (Arguta deliciosa)

DARLENE'S FUZZY FEMALE Oh, the amazing randomness of genetics and chance! This delicious, hardy fuzzy kiwi came to us from Darlene Reynolds of Tallahassee, FL. Yet the origin of this plant started with Darlene’s friends Annie and John Barbas. John bought a kiwi from the grocery store and started the seeds in their garage on a whim! After 3 years of nuturing they passed on three plants to Darlene. Fortunately one was a male and the other two were females. Darlene cultivated the plants for 20 years and they have grown into the massive arbor you see on the right. The fruit is as large and oblong as any fuzzy kiwi from New Zealand and tastes wonderful. Only the female vines produce fruit. Need a Barbas Male for cross pollination. Zone 8B. $34.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

BARBAS FUZZY MALE No fruit on this vine, but it's needed to pollinate the Darlene's Fuzzy Female. One male plant for every 3-4 female plants is recommended. Zone 8B. $34.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

Arguta Varieties (Actinidia arguta)

Arguta kiwis are the smooth-skinned cousins of the fuzzy or A. deliciosa kiwi. The plants are more cold tolerant and less vigorous. The bite-sized fruit is eaten skin and all and has a sweeter flavor than the fuzzy kiwi. Many varieties have been developed, some with very unusual skin and flesh coloring.

ANNA Hardy variety that does well on the northern edge of Zone 6. Large red-blushed skin with a green center. Tangy sweet with a pineapple aroma. Ripens late August-September. Needs a male pollinator. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

CORDIFOLIA Very sweet,round shaped fruit with a non-bitter skin. Ripens September-October. Needs male pollinator. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

KEN'S RED Ken did a good job on this hardy kiwi. It's one of the largest arguta kiwis, and about as pretty as they come. Red skinned when ripe, with juicy very sweet red flesh. This is a low-chill variety, reliably grown in the Gulf states. Needs a male pollinator. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

LONE STAR Found growing in Panama City, FL. This variety doesn't need a male pollinator, but may set more fruit with one. Fruit ripens in late August and is long and thin, brown-skinned with an emerald green center. Flavor is sweeter than most smooth-skinned kiwis. Self-fertile. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

MALE ARGUTA Pollinates up to 4 females. Use with all female Arguta chinensis. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).

ROSSANA A beautiful Italian hardy kiwi, probably named for Dr. Rosanna D'Avino, who writes scientific papers about kiwi at the Institute of Protein Biochemistry in Italy. Sweet and flavorful fruit is medium-large, up to ½ ounce. Red-blushed light green fruit is ripe in mid-October. Hardy to -25F. Needs a male pollinator. Zones 6-9. $32.99 3 gal (3-4ft).



Just the Facts
Not sure what to do with kiwi fruit or how to grow them right? DON'T PANIC! Push the panic button and we will give you "Just the Facts" you need to successfully grow them.

Are we out of what you are looking for? Email us at Justfruits@hotmail.com and we'll put you on the "Call When Available" list. We will call you!

Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 St. Frances St. Crawfordville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).