Actinidia arguta 'Hokey Pokey' (self-fertile) (female)

Actinidia arguta 'Hokey Pokey' (Hokey Pokey Hardy Kiwi) is a deciduous, woody vine recognized by its attractive green and yellow variegated leaves, and tasty fruits. The fruit is 1.5 to 2 cm long, oval-shaped and green with smooth, edible skin. The juicy green flesh has asweet kiwi flavour with a subtle splash of lemon.

Small, slightly fragrant, white flowers appear in June, which develop into dense clusters of medium-sized fruit by the end of summer. Fruit ripens between October and November, usually after the first light frost. It is ripe when it gives slightly under pressure.

The showy leaves are broad and silvery green with irregularly variegated, creamy, lemon-yellow margins. The foliage turns yellow in the fall. While this female variety of Hardy Kiwi is often considered self-fertile or semi self-fertile, it is "parthenocarpic" to be more accurate (develops fruit without fertilization). Planting Hardy Kiwis (Actinidia arguta) male cultivars, like 'Andrew', 'Meader', or 'Weiki M' nearby could improve fruit yield. In order to pollinate 6 to 8 Female Hardy Kiwi plants, one male Kiwi plant is recommended. 'Hokey Pokey' Variegated Leaf Hardy Kiwi should start bearing fruits within 3 to 5 years.

Hokey Pokey Hardy Kiwi grows slower and shorter than other kiwi cultivars, reaching only 4 m in height. This vine will perform best planted in full sun with a moist soil, and near a trellis or structure to climb on.

While Hokey Pokey Kiwi is hardy to zone 6a (-23.5 °C), we recommend you plant it early in the season to give the it time to establish, and mulch over the roots in the fall.