'Ken's Red' Hardy Kiwi (Female)

Ken's Red is female hardy kiwi vine that produces attractive reddish-purple fruit with deep red colouring around the centre when fully ripe. The smooth-skinned fruit is about grape to small plum size and has sweet flavour with rich berry-like notes and less acidity than many other kiwis. Vines are vigorous and highly productive once established, capable of producing heavy crops of fruit in early to mid fall, typically ripening around September in coastal BC. Excellent for fresh eating straight off the vine.

Ken's Red is believed to be a hybrid involving Actinidia arguta (hardy kiwi) and Actinidia melanandra, a lesser known wild kiwi which contributes to its distinctive reddish colouring.

Hardy kiwis are an attractive, climbing, deciduous vine that grows at a fast rate and produces edible kiwis the size of large grapes. The fruit of hardy kiwis are often sweeter and more flavourful than full-size fuzzy kiwis. Hardy kiwi fruit have a thin, edible, smooth skin (no fuzz!), so you can eat the whole thing, without peeling. 

Hardy kiwis are climbing vines that will require a support structure, such as a fence, trellis or arbour. They grow similarly to grape vines. 

As the name suggests, "hardy" kiwis are incredibly cold hardy, with Ken's Red surviving down to -20ºC.

Common names: Ken's Red Hardy Kiwi, Ken's Red Kiwiberry 

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: September 

Scientific name: Actinidia arguta 'Ken's Red'
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 15-25' long
Hardiness: Zone 5
Pollination: Female vine. Requires cross pollination with a male hardy kiwi vine.
Wildlife: Ripe fruit is attractive to birds.
Origin: Cultivar is from New Zealand.
Noteworthy: Unique red-fleshed fruit. Prolific harvests.