Here are some details on some highly recommended kiwi varieties for home landscapes.

Michigan State University or MSU Kiwi

Named for its place of origin, this was apparently a hybrid of the hardy kiwi and the variegated kiwi. Depending on the source, it is recommended for zone four or five.

The vigorous plant is at least partially self fruitful, but will definitely produce better fruit crops if cross pollination is provided. The high quality, good sized, ribbed fruits are lime green. These weigh about an ounce. They’re 1½ inch long and an inch in diameter, and are considered large to medium sized.

These can be eaten partially ripe or fully ripe. The flavor tends to be better when they’re allowed to ripen on the plant. The very delicious flavor is a mixture of sweet and tart.


September Sun Variegated Kiwi

This is one of the most popular varieties of the variegated kiwi. It is reportedly hardy to zone three.

This variety is by far one of the brightest colored varieties, and that is true for both the male and female September Sun kiwis. This is unusual because normally it is only the variegated males that are particularly bright.

This variety does well in both very cold climates and in moderate climates as well.

As is the case for most other variegated kiwi plants, the brightest variegation doesn’t show up for a few years after it is planted.

When cross pollination is provided, the female September Sun kiwi plants can bear very large crops of medium sized, hardy kiwi fruits. Ripening in mid-August or so, these are almost equal in size to the hardy kiwis. The large fruits are oblong and slightly narrow. With a smooth skin, this is a flavorful, sweet fruit.


Vincent Kiwi

This female is one of the fuzzy kiwi varieties. It has a low chill requirement of two hundred hours. Tomuri is recommended as a pollen source.

Vincent kiwi does well in areas with warm winters. It was bred in Yorba Linda in Southern California by Judge Raymond Vincent. This variety bears very large crops of fruits. In fact, the fruits often need thinning, which isn’t the case with most kiwi varieties.

The kiwis are similar to those produced by Allison and Abbot kiwis. These fruits are medium sized with a very sweet, delicious flavor.



Some Other Kiwi Varieties to Consider

Pasha kiwi is a male variegated kiwi variety. It is often grown as an ornamental. This can also be used as a pollen source for other varieties and is hardy to zone three.

Pavlova kiwi bears large crops of fruits that are very high in Vitamin C.

Viktor variegated kiwi is a female variegated kiwi. This bears fruits that are twice as large as the other variegated varieties. These very tasty fruits are very sweet tasting.

Tomuri kiwi is a male fuzzy kiwi that originated in New Zealand.

Silver Vine Kiwi (Actinidia polygama) is hardy to zone three. It likes partial shade. This plant was native to Russia.
Vera’s Pride kiwi is a very attractive plant. This bears large pale orange kiwis that are very tasty and sweet. This may be a variety of silver vine.

Pavel kiwi is reportedly a variety of the silver vine. This male variety is grown both as an ornamental and also to cross pollinate female kiwis. The plat bears very large, scented white blooms. The leaves are whitish-silver.

Hot Pepper kiwi is apparently a variety of the silver vine. This yields good crops of yellow-orange fruits. These have a unique spicy sweet flavor similar to that of a mild chili pepper.