The Variegated Arctic Beauty Kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta) is a hardy, ornamental kiwi vine that combines beauty with utility. Known for its striking, variegated foliage—featuring a mix of green, white, and pink hues—this unique vine adds a burst of color to your garden while producing small, edible kiwi fruit. Unlike the larger, traditional kiwi varieties, Arctic Beauty Kiwi thrives in colder climates, making it perfect for gardeners in USDA Zones 4-8. It’s a low-maintenance and easy-to-grow plant that will reward you with both visual interest and delicious, homegrown fruit. These 20 seeds provide you the opportunity to cultivate your own Arctic Beauty Kiwi vine, which will not only enhance your garden aesthetically but also provide you with small, sweet, and nutritious kiwis.

Key Features:

• Beautiful Variegated Foliage: The Arctic Beauty Kiwi is renowned for its stunning, variegated leaves, which feature shades of green, white, and pink. This unique foliage makes it an ornamental choice for gardens.
• Cold Hardy: Unlike traditional kiwis, the Arctic Beauty Kiwi can tolerate colder temperatures, making it suitable for gardeners in USDA Zones 4-8.
• Edible Fruit: While the fruit is smaller than the common kiwi, it’s still sweet, flavorful, and packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this hardy vine is easy to care for and can thrive with minimal attention, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners.
• Attractive Flowers: In early summer, the vine produces small, fragrant white flowers that add an extra layer of beauty to the plant before it begins to fruit.
• Pollinator-Friendly: The vine attracts bees and other pollinators, ensuring the success of its flowers and fruit production.
• Perfect for Trellises and Arbors: Arctic Beauty Kiwi vines can be trained to grow on trellises, arbors, or fences, providing vertical interest and making them perfect for small spaces or gardens that need an attractive climbing plant.

Growing Information:

Light:
The Arctic Beauty Kiwi prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives in bright, sunny spots where it can produce the most energy, but it will also tolerate some light shade. Full sun is ideal for optimal fruit production.

Soil:
This kiwi vine prefers well-draining, loamy, or sandy soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types but thrives in slightly acidic to neutral pH. Ensure the soil is rich in organic matter, as this will support both growth and fruiting.

Planting Tips:
Plant seeds indoors in a seed-starting tray about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Keep the soil consistently moist and at a temperature between 70-75°F (21-24°C) until germination. After the seedlings have grown large enough, transplant them outdoors once the danger of frost has passed, spacing them about 4-6 feet apart. If starting with young plants, they can be placed directly in the garden after the last frost.
To encourage strong growth, ensure the vines are given something to climb on, such as a trellis, arbor, or fence. This will help the vine grow vertically and keep the fruit off the ground.

Watering:
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. The Arctic Beauty Kiwi prefers consistent moisture, especially during the growing season when the vines are actively growing and fruiting. During hot, dry periods, extra water may be necessary to prevent the plant from drying out.

Temperature:
Arctic Beauty Kiwi is cold-hardy, capable of surviving temperatures as low as -25°F (-32°C) once established. It’s an excellent choice for colder climates where traditional kiwis may not survive. However, it prefers moderate to warm temperatures during the growing season, ranging from 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C).

Benefits:

• Cold-Hardy Fruit Production: The Arctic Beauty Kiwi is perfect for regions with colder winters, as it can handle freezing temperatures and still produce fruit.
• Sweet, Edible Kiwi: Although smaller than the traditional kiwi, the fruit is sweet, flavorful, and packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The variegated foliage adds visual interest to any garden, making it a striking ornamental plant for trellises, arbors, or fences.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this hardy vine is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond regular watering and occasional pruning.
• Pollinator Attraction: The small, fragrant white flowers of the vine attract pollinators like bees, ensuring healthy fruit production.
• Space-Saving: Perfect for vertical gardening, the Arctic Beauty Kiwi grows well on trellises or other supports, making it an ideal choice for small gardens, patios, or balconies.
• Wildlife-Friendly: The vine provides shelter and food for birds and small wildlife, which may feed on the fruit once ripe.

Growing Zones:
The Arctic Beauty Kiwi is hardy in USDA Zones 4-8, making it an excellent choice for cooler climates where other kiwi varieties may struggle. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -25°F (-32°C) once established, making it perfect for gardeners in northern regions.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Trellises and Arbors: The vine is perfect for climbing structures, such as trellises, fences, or arbors, allowing it to grow vertically and save space while creating an eye-catching display.
• Edible Garden: The Arctic Beauty Kiwi adds an edible element to any garden. Harvest the small, sweet fruit and enjoy it fresh, in fruit salads, or even blended into smoothies.
• Ornamental Feature: With its striking, variegated foliage, the vine can be used as an ornamental plant to enhance the beauty of your garden. It’s a perfect choice for adding texture and color to garden structures or as a decorative focal point.
• Pollinator Garden: The fragrant flowers of the Arctic Beauty Kiwi attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an excellent addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
• Wildlife Garden: This plant can attract birds that will feed on the berries, while its dense foliage provides shelter for small animals.

Conclusion:
The Variegated Arctic Beauty Kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta) is a hardy, versatile plant that offers both beauty and function. Its colorful variegated leaves make it an ornamental treasure, while its small, sweet kiwis add an edible delight to your garden. Perfect for gardeners in cooler climates, this cold-hardy vine thrives in USDA Zones 4-8, making it an ideal choice for colder regions where other kiwis may not grow. With 20 seeds, you can grow your own Arctic Beauty Kiwi vine and enjoy the beauty and flavor it brings to your landscape. Whether you're looking to add a unique, colorful plant to your garden or harvest fresh, homegrown kiwi fruit, the Arctic Beauty Kiwi is a rewarding addition to any garden.