Actinidia polygama (Silver Vine)

Creating a sparkling effect, Actinidia polygama (Silver Vine) is a vigorous, scrambling/twining, deciduous climber producing a striking foliage mass of heart-shaped, dark green leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm), adorned with silvery-white tips – as if each leaf has been dipped in paint. The variegation is most prominent early in the season and the leaves often turn solid green by late summer. Pleasantly scented, cup-shaped, white flowers are borne during early summer. Silver Vine is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Bright orange, egg-shaped, edible fruits appear on female plants in early fall. They are considerably smaller than those of the commercially available kiwi (A. deliciosa) and are not very palatable. Cats are fans of this vine and find it intoxicating. They chew and roll around the foliage with delight. Fast-growing, the splendid foliage of this climber will quickly cover sunny walls, arbors or trellises and create a terrific long-lasting feature.

• Grows up to 12-20 ft. tall (3-6 m) and 8-10 ft. wide (2-3 m).
• A full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Full sun is needed to bring out the colors of the foliage in cool weather, but light shade is best in warmer areas.
• Generally pest and disease free.
• Prune to control size. Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings, layering or grafting
• Native to China, Japan, Korea, and eastern Russia.