This is because of its large fruit size. The stems and leaves are covered with velvety red hairs. It is only winter hardy down to approximately 10 degrees F and consequently will not survive the mid west winters. The fruit size is considerably smaller than that of A. deliciosa and is about the size of a large cherry. The skin of A. arguta is smooth and consumed with the fruit.
Fruit are greenish-yellow in color.
When ripe they are very sweet and juicy. A. kolomikta has smaller fruit than A. arguta and has pink and white variegated leaves. Hardy kiwi are often used as a screen or shade vine because of their dense cover of 3 to 5 inch glossy dark green leaves on long red stalks Kiwis thrive in full sun or partial shade. They can be grown in any good garden soil but prefer rich humus soils. Plants do best when the soil pH is around 6.5.