Chang Bai Hardy Kiwi

Actinidia arguta ‘Chang Bai’

Chang Bai is a seedling of the cultivar ‘Qui’ that shows outstanding characteristics. Qui was selected near the border of North Korea from the wild near Chang Bai Mountain Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agriculture. We offer Chang Bai because it is an unusually productive and sweetly flavorful green fruit with a unique, almost heart, shape. It’s from a cold mountainous region and offers the same durable winter hardiness as other hardy arguta kiwis. A late-flowering variety, it can be pollinated by hardy arguta males and early-blooming fuzzy deliciosa males alike.

These fast-growing, beautiful vines produce clusters of oblong kiwi fruits the size of large grapes. Lacking the rough “fuzzy” kiwi skin, these smooth fruits can be eaten whole, like bunches of kiwi-flavored seedless grapes. Originally brought to this country as an ornamental, the green fruit is similar to the fuzzy kiwi in flavor, though sweeter and easier to eat. The smooth-textured vines are very vigorous and need a strong support. Training a fruiting female vine up the legs or railings of a deck, or along an unattractive chain link fence, can create a great tropical effect and be uniquely easy to harvest! Have a hardy arguta or fuzzy deliciosa male for pollination, and allow 3-5 years to begin flowering and fruiting.

USDA Zone: 5-9

Grow Height: 40′ Long at Maturity

Sun: Full Sun to Afternoon Shade in hot climates

Ripening Time: Early Fall

Pollination: Needs a Pollinizer – one Male for 6-8 Females

Read our Kiwi Growing Guide