Leaves are fuzzy and heart shaped. Severe winters will kill the plant. Hardy kiwi are the size of large grapes and are usually flopped in the mouth like almonds. On the other hand, hardy kiwis are fuzzless. Plants thrive in the full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Plants easily adapt to most soils except heavy clays and compacted soils.
Kiwis are dioecious, meaning plants are either male or female. Therefore, several plants need to be sown from seed to guarantee both sexes, or plants need to be propagated and purchased from know male and female plants. Hardy kiwi generally bloom in May and June. Fruit should be picked as it softens, though like store purchased fruit, will ripen on the counter indoors. Copyright 1995 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.