{"product_id":"issai-hardy-kiwi","title":"Issai Hardy Kiwi","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Self-Fertile Hardy Kiwi with Sweet, Grape-Sized Fruit\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssai Hardy Kiwi (\u003cem\u003eActinidia arguta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Issai') is a vigorous climbing vine that produces clusters of sweet, smooth-skinned, grape-sized kiwi berries you eat skin and all — no fuzz, no peeling. Best of all, Issai is self-fertile, so a single vine can fruit (most hardy kiwis need separate male and female plants). It sits at the cold edge of its range here, so give it a sheltered spot and a sturdy support. Whether you're trialing something unusual in Edina, covering a warm arbor in Maple Grove, or adding novelty fruit in a protected Woodbury corner — Issai is an adventurous edible for sheltered zone 4b–5a sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIssai Hardy Kiwi Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eActinidia arguta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Issai'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous fruiting vine (hardy kiwi)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 feet on a strong support; vigorous\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade; full sun and warmth ripen the best fruit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — consistent moisture in well-draining soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — marginal; plant in a sheltered spot, see notes)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost. Avoid wet feet.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-fertile — one vine can fruit (yields rise with a second hardy kiwi nearby)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate summer to fall; sweet, smooth, grape-sized berries eaten whole\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardy to about zone 5; site in a protected microclimate. Young growth is frost-sensitive.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIssai Hardy Kiwi Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArbors and strong trellises\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssai is vigorous and heavy — give it a sturdy arbor, pergola, or heavy-gauge trellis (not a flimsy lattice) in a warm, sheltered Plymouth spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNovelty edible\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bite-sized, fuzzless berries are a fun, kid-friendly treat fresh off the vine in Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProtected microclimates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSite it against a south- or west-facing wall where heat collects and wind is blocked — these warm pockets improve ripening and winter survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Issai Hardy Kiwi in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (mid-late May) after frost danger passes, giving the vine the full season to establish before its first winter — important for a marginal plant here. Never plant in fall or after mid-October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Issai Hardy Kiwi\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose the warmest, most sheltered spot you have — a south or west wall out of the wind, where snow collects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstall a strong, permanent support before planting; mature vines are heavy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig 2–3× the root width; backfill with native soil plus 20–30% compost. Ensure good drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater in well and mulch 3–4 inches, kept off the stem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtect young vines from late spring frosts, which can damage tender new growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrune in late winter to manage its vigor and train to your support.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Issai Hardy Kiwi in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Weekly; keep evenly moist but never waterlogged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply during dry spells, especially in summer heat. Consistent moisture supports fruiting on this vigorous vine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need two plants to get fruit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — Issai is self-fertile, which is rare for hardy kiwi. A single vine can fruit, though planting a second hardy kiwi nearby tends to increase yields.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's at the edge of its range here (rated to about zone 5). The vine can survive in a sheltered, snow-covered microclimate, but late spring frosts may damage tender new shoots. Careful siting is everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery vigorous — 10–20 feet — so give it a strong support and prune annually to keep it in bounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlue Moon Wisteria — another hardy, sheltered-site flowering vine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsort Currant — an easy, reliable fruiting shrub\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeritage Raspberry — dependable everbearing fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1\/7\" Pot","offer_id":54312947450161,"sku":null,"price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/issai-hardy-kiwi.jpg?v=1779557843","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/issai-hardy-kiwi","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}