Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Climber Wall ShrubFruit Edible

Actinidia arguta 'Ken's Red' (f/F)

hardy kiwi 'Ken's Red'

A deciduous vigorous twining woody climber with simple ovate leaves. Small cream-white female flowers need a male or self-fertile pollination partner to produce edible pale red fruits in the autumn. Needs a sunny and sheltered position for fruits to ripen.

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream White Green
Autumn Green Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Actinidiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Genus

Actinidia are vigorous, mostly deciduous, twining climbers with simple ovate leaves which are variegated in some species. Small cup-shaped flowers may be followed on female or hermaphrodite plants by edible fruits

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Requires sun and preferably a neutral to acidic, well-drained but moist soil. Will also require support, in the form of wires, trellis or pergola. See Kiwi cultivation.

Propagation

May be propagated by softwood cuttings, grafting or layering.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

See kiwi pruning and training.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and phytophthora root rot

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.