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Kiwi vine with round leaves?

elinorstanleyelinorstanley Posts: 1
in Plants
Hello all, I have an east facing bit of trellis that gets shade and dappled sun through the summer. I would like to grow a Kiwi vine, I know they need full sun but I really want to grow it for the big round pad like leaves rather than the fruit. Is this possible in shade? Also which varieties of Kiwi have the biggest roundest leaves? 
Falling this could anybody suggest a similar vine with big round leaves that might be happier in the dappled shade. 

Many thanks, 
Elle

Posts

  • zugeniezugenie Posts: 831
    https://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Kiwis/

    Victoriana nursery have a lot of different cultivars, would be worth seeing if they have anything that fits the bill!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @elinorstanley Think you need male and female plants for fruit. I have seen one locally that has hundreds of fruits yearly but they never get to an edible size. It is in full sun and huge no idea how many plants there are or variety.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    @elinorstanley  Yes.  I agree with @GardenerSuze   They have to have a mate.  I used to graft them - back in the days!!
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    There is a self fertile kiwi now … I think it’s called ‘Jenny’. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes… here it is https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/actinidia-deliciosa-jenny/ 
     :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    You could also take a look at the ornamental Actinidia Kolomikta. This also grows fast where it is happy.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Jenny is a self fertile variety that has been around for a number of years and does well given the right site/conditions.

    However, if @elinorstanley isn't too bothered about fruit, other varieties are worth considering.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    If you want large leaves (up to ~ 10" x 8") and not bothered by lack of fruit, you can easily grow them from the tiny black seeds inside one from a supermarket.  They are rather vigorous and new foliage often get killed by frosts, but they soon form new leaves.  I removed a couple due to their 3m growth per year, but still have a couple as I love the bright red new growth in spring. :)
    I also have a couple of smaller but self-fertile ones in the GH (hopefully) for fruit, Arguta Issai, and the aforementioned Jenny.
    As @philippasmith2 says, there are some very decorative kiwi varieties available, but don't expect fruit. :)

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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