Meader Female Hardy Kiwi
A female selection from the late great Ellwyn Meader, the Meader female hardy kiwi produces very large crops of delicious and medium sized fruits that ripen very early in the season, making it a great choice for extremely short seasons or for extending the hardy kiwi season.
If you like Fuzzy Kiwis, you’ll love this new and delectable fruit Sparkling like green or red jewels, each very sweet fruit is packed with flavor. While smaller than Fuzzy Kiwi, you can eat fuzzless Hardy Kiwi fruit like grapes, tender skin and all. Hardy to minus 25º F., or below and free of pest and disease problems, you can harvest 100 lbs. or more of fruit from one Hardy Kiwi plant.
Hardy Kiwi likes half day to full sun and well-drained soil. A male plant is required for pollination and one male plant can pollinate up to 8 female plants. Hardy Kiwi ripens in mid to late September. The plants need a strong trellis and can spread 10-12 ft or more when mature. They usually begin bearing 3-4 years after planting.
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Latin Name: Actinidia arguta
Site and Soil: Hardy Kiwi likes 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Plant with a Male Kiwi for cross-pollination. One male can pollinate up to 8 females.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 25° F.
Bearing Age: 3-4 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 10-12 ft. in width on trellis, arbor or other support.
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Smooth, green
Fruit Size: Medium
Bloom Time: May
Ripening Time: September-October
Yield: 100+ lbs
Pests & Diseases: Hardy Kiwis are not bothered by significant pest or disease problems.
USDA Zone: 4-9