Duo of Kiwi plants: Montcap (female) and Tomuri (male pollinator)

This Duo of Kiwi plants (Actinidia deliciosa) brings together a female variety, Montcap, and a male variety, Tomuri, with the latter allowing the female plant to bear fruit. The Montcap kiwi ripens earlier than the Hayward kiwi, which is an advantage in regions where autumn comes earlier. The plant produces fuzzy, oval-shaped fruits that are larger than those of Hayward variety and have a sweeter taste. This lovely vine can be trained along a pergola or trellis. Ideally planted in autumn or anytime throughout the year, outside of frost periods, for harvest around October, starting from the 4th or 5th year.

The Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa), also known as Chinese gooseberry or Yangtao is the fruit of the Actinidia plant. It belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, just like its cousin the Kiwaï (Actinidia arguta). Originating from China, the kiwi is a vigorous climbing liana that can grow up to 3 m (10ft) per year under favourable conditions. This climbing plant should be trained on a sturdy support, such as a wall with strong wires, a trellis, a pergola, a tree trunk, or a fence. It can reach a height of 6 m (20ft) and a spread of 4 m (13ft), and requires pruning to control its growth.

Some varieties are self-fertile (male and female flowers on the same plant) and can be planted as a single specimen. Other varieties have either male flowers (like Tomuri) or female flowers (like Montcap) and require the presence of a plant of the opposite sex for pollination. One male plant can pollinate around 5 to 6 female plants. Only female plants produce fruits. Note that 'Montcap' and 'Tomuri' flower at the same time as the 'Atlas' and 'Hayward' varieties. It is the ripening time of the fruits that is shorter in the female Montcap variety.

The female Montcap Kiwi was selected in an agricultural research facility in Capou, Tarn-et-Garonne by Jocelyne Chartier and Patrice Blanchet. This variety can withstand temperatures as low as -12 °C (10.4°F) at its adult size, but it is sensitive to late frosts as the buds freeze at -5 °C (23°F). Its foliage is deciduous. The stems bear large, ovate, and entire leaves, dark matte green on the top and lighter underneath, covered, like the stems, with small red hairs. From the third or fourth year of cultivation, clusters of flowers appear in May-June on the previous year's branches. These are fragrant flowers with broad cream-white petals. Male flowers have numerous yellow stamens, while female flowers have white stigmas.

On the female Montcap plant, flowering is followed by the formation of large, fleshy, ovoid berries weighing approximately 100 to 150 grams. The thin skin is velvety, greenish to light brown. The flesh is green, juicy, slightly sweet, but deliciously tangy and filled with numerous, small, black seeds. The Kiwi fruit is rich in vitamin C, fibre, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. The harvest takes place 30 days before that of the Hayward kiwi, around October, before the first frosts. The fruits can be harvested even when they are still green as they continue to ripen after harvest. They can be stored in a cool location at 5 °C (41°F), such as a cellar, for over a month. The kiwi is ripe when it is soft to the touch. Place kiwis next to apples or bananas to speed up their ripening. Once peeled, the kiwi can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other autumn fruits, used in jams, or used as decoration on pies and even in savoury dishes.

To save space, plant the male Tomuri at the base of a pole or pylon: it will climb and grow upwards without occupying too much ground space.