SKU: 1086 3 Jenny Kiwi Plants- Self-Pollinating Kiwi in 4" Cups

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Vigorous, deciduous climbing vine that grows by twining stems and requires a sturdy trellis, arbor, pergola, or fence for support.
• Bloom Color: Creamy white flowers with golden-yellow centers appearing in late spring.
• Fragrance: Light, sweet fragrance that attracts bees and other pollinators.
• Fruit Flavor: Sweet, juicy, tropical flavor with hints of strawberry, melon, and citrus. Soft green flesh surrounds a ring of tiny edible black seeds.
• Culinary Uses: Excellent for fresh eating, fruit salads, smoothies, juices, desserts, jams, jellies, preserves, baking, and dehydrating. The edible peel may be consumed when fully ripe, although many people prefer to peel the fruit.
• Medicinal Uses: Kiwi fruit is naturally rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and enzymes such as actinidin that may aid digestion. It is grown primarily as a nutritious fruit crop rather than for medicinal purposes.
• Possible Toxicity: The fruit is safe for human consumption. Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, particularly those with latex or birch pollen allergies. The vine is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, although consuming large quantities of foliage or unripe fruit may cause mild digestive upset.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinators. Ripe fruit may attract birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife if left unprotected. Generally resistant to most serious pests and diseases, though aphids, spider mites, scale insects, and root rot may occur under poor growing conditions.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 7–9.
• Sun Preferences: Full sun to partial shade. Produces the best fruit with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Performs best with consistently moist, well-drained soil, especially during flowering and fruit development.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 15–25 feet long with a spread of 6–10 feet, depending on pruning and support.

When and How to Prune

• Prune during late winter while the vine is dormant before new growth begins.
• Remove dead, damaged, weak, or tangled stems.
• Thin older fruiting canes to encourage vigorous new growth, as fruit is produced on the current season's shoots arising from one-year-old wood.
• Light summer pruning can be performed to control excessive growth and improve sunlight penetration and air circulation.
• Tie new shoots to the support structure as they grow to maintain an orderly framework.

Planting Instructions (3.5-Inch Pot into the Ground)

1. Plant after the danger of frost has passed in spring or in early fall in mild climates.
2. Choose a location with fertile, organically rich, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
3. Install a sturdy trellis, arbor, pergola, or fence before planting.
4. Dig a hole twice as wide as the 3.5-inch nursery pot and approximately the same depth.
5. Carefully remove the plant from the pot, gently loosening any circling roots.
6. Position the root ball so the top sits level with the surrounding soil.
7. Backfill with native soil and gently firm around the roots.
8. Water deeply after planting.
9. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch, keeping it several inches away from the stem to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
10. Space vines 10–15 feet apart if planting multiple vines to allow adequate airflow and mature growth.

Overwintering Steps

• Jenny Kiwi is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9 and generally overwinters well once established.
• Water deeply during dry autumn weather before the ground freezes.
• Apply a 2–4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone after the first frost to insulate the roots and reduce freeze-thaw cycles.
• Protect young vines from severe winter winds and late spring frosts, which can damage emerging flower buds.
• Delay pruning until late winter while the vine remains dormant.
• Remove damaged or winter-killed stems in early spring before vigorous new growth begins.
• Inspect trellises and support structures during winter to ensure they remain sturdy enough to support the vine's vigorous growth.

With its lush foliage, fragrant spring blossoms, and delicious homegrown fruit, Jenny Kiwi is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking a productive, self-fertile fruiting vine. Easy to grow and highly ornamental, it transforms fences, pergolas, and arbors into beautiful living features while rewarding gardeners with years of sweet, tropical-flavored kiwis from a single plant.