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About this product
Hardy Kiwiberry 'Issai' (Actinidia arguta 'Issai')
Overview
‘Issai’ is a self-fertile hardy kiwiberry that produces clusters of small, smooth-skinned fruits you can eat whole. Flavour is sweet with a pleasant tang, similar to standard kiwi but without the fuzz.
Key Features
- Self-fertile – a single plant will fruit
- Hardy climber suited to Irish conditions
- Smooth-skinned fruits, eaten whole like grapes
- Attractive foliage on vigorous twining stems
How to Plant
Plant in Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. in a position with Full sun in a sheltered position, protected from cold spring winds.. Dig a generous planting hole, mix in organic matter, and water thoroughly after planting. Apply a mulch around the base to help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Care Tips
- Provide a strong trellis, pergola or wire framework for support.
- Prune in late winter to maintain a simple framework, then summer prune to shorten laterals.
- Water well during dry periods, particularly while fruits are developing.
Size & Growth Timeline
Can reach 3–4m high and wide within about 5 years when well supported.
Harvest
Fruits usually ripen from late August into September. Harvest when they soften slightly and taste fully sweet.
Perfect For…
- Gardeners wanting something more unusual than standard kiwi
- Training over arches, pergolas and strong trellis
- Edible ornamental plantings
Growing & care
- Position & light
- Full sun· Sheltered
- Watering
- moderate
- Soil & drainage
- Well drained· Moist
- Mature size
- 4.0m high· 4.0m wide
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