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Vigorous, deciduous perennial foliage vines of varying hardiness, with many decorative garden uses. They climb fast by twining stems, to heights of from twenty to fifty feet, giving a lush display of bold green leaves and unobtrusive white flowers. The dark, red-brown stems are attractive. Flowers of separate sexes are born on separate plants; so if you want fruit for preserving, plant two or three vines together on the chance that both male and female flowers will be produced.

In the landscape actinidias make attractive shades, screens, dividers. Or they can be trained to cover wall, fence, arbor, and other garden structures. Sometimes they are trimmed to form a hedge, or carefully trained against a building or other wall. They will thrive in any good garden soil, in sun or partial shade. If kept under control, the less vigorous types are suitable for container gardening. Keep the plant in its container, and store it in some cool light spot over the winter.

Propagation is by spring-planted seeds, layering, or stem cuttings of partially ripened wood in midsummer, or mature wood in winter under glass.

Actinidia arguta – Tara vine, bower actinidia – A bold grower, to fifty feet, reported hardy to northern New England.

Actinidia chinensis – Chinese gooseberry, Yangtao – Hardy only in citrus-growing climates. An excellent specimen vine, with red-hairy young
branches earning its reputation as most handsome of the family.

Actinidia kolomikta – Green leaves marked with white and pinkish white.

Actinidia polygama – silver vine – Young leaves of male plants overcast with silver. The vine has some strange appeal for cats.

Family: Dilleniaceae