Actinidia arguta 'Issai'

Reaching just 12 to 20 feet long, this deciduous vine is much less vigorous than the species -- it grows easily but won't take over the garden. A twining climber, it offers glossy foliage, fragrant 1-inch white blooms in early summer, and a generous harvest of 1- to 1 3/4-inch fruit in mid-fall. If you've got at least 150 frost-free days each year, you can enjoy big harvests beginning just the second season after planting.

'Issai' has a really remarkable flavor, much sweeter and more succulent than the "fuzzy" kiwis found in most stores. The fruit is smooth, green, and just a little soft when fully ripe. If your season is short, pick the fruit a bit early and let it ripen in a paper bag with apples or pears. It's simple to harvest and always delicious.

Best of all, 'Issai' is self-fertile, so you need plant only one. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, and prefers good soil on the acidic side. Do not fertilize this vine too heavily; this can trigger lush foliage growth but poor flowering and fruiting. Prune it as needed in late fall or early winter, or leave it be -- this Japanese cultivar is adaptable.

'Issai' is perfect for containers, particularly in the shorter seasons of zone 5. It fruits somewhat late, making it a great choice for southern climates as well. You simply cannot go wrong with this delightful mini Kiwi! Zones 5-10.