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Key characteristics

Family: Actinidiaceae
Height: 15 to 30 ft
Width: 10 to 20 ft (vine spread on support)
Flower color: Creamy white, fragrant flowers
Foliage color: Green leaves with striking white, pink, and cream variegation
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate moisture
Maintenance: Moderate; requires sturdy support or trellis, prune lightly after fruiting or in late winter
Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 7
Wildlife: Bees and other pollinators for flowers; birds and small mammals may eat small fruit

Vines

Actinidia kolomikta

Variegated Kiwi Vine

Actinidia kolomikta is a deciduous climbing vine valued for its dramatic foliage coloration and graceful growth habit. Heart-shaped leaves emerge green, then develop irregular splashes of creamy white and soft pink as the season progresses. Small, lightly fragrant white flowers appear in late spring to early summer, adding subtle interest among the colorful foliage before giving way to modest ornamental fruit on mature plants.

Native to eastern Asia, including regions of Russia, China, and Japan, this species has long been cultivated in temperate gardens.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate moisture

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Arbors & Trellises
Fences & Walls
Cottage Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Bird Gardens

Companion plants

Lungworts · Daylilies · Lavender · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it something sturdy to climb and keep the base planted with lower perennials, which shades the roots and hides bare stems.