Hardy Kiwi Nostino (male) - Actinidia arguta

The Hardy Kiwi Nostino (Actinidia arguta) is a variety that offers highly fragrant white flowers at the beginning of summer. This is a male plant that will not produce fruits but will enable the pollination of 5 to 6 female plants (like Ambrosia). The hardy kiwi needs to be trained along a pergola, a trellis, or an arbour. Planting is preferably done in autumn (or in spring in regions with cold winters).

The Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta), also known as Siberian Kiwi or Kiwi Berry, belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, just like its cousin the Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa). Native to Asia, it is a vigorous climber that can reach a height of 5m (16ft). It has deciduous foliage. The Hardy Kiwi is very hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). The stems bear large heart-shaped leaves, 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long, with fine teeth ending in bristles. In early summer (June-July), fragrant and nectar-rich flowers appear, white-greenish in colour with purple anthers, grouped in threes in the axils of the leaves.

For female plants, flowering is followed by the formation of ovoid berries, smaller than kiwis (2 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in diameter), with smooth and thin skin. The taste of Hardy Kiwi resembles that of gooseberries. It is sweeter than the usual kiwi and richer in calcium and vitamin C. Conversely, male plants like Nostino do not produce fruits but enable the pollination of female plants. Like the kiwi, one male plant can pollinate multiple female plants.

The beauty of the Hardy Kiwi, both in terms of its foliage and its fragrant flowering, makes it just as useful as an ornamental plant as it is for pollination. It is necessary to train this plant on a sturdy support, such as a wall with strong wires, a trellis, a pergola, a tree trunk, or a fence. This fruit is very popular among children because it can be picked and consumed straight from the garden. Harvesting is done from the end of September and throughout October. The fruits can be easily stored in the refrigerator for about fifteen days after harvest. Separate them from other fruits so that they do not ripen too quickly. The flavour of the Hardy Kiwi is well-suited to modern cuisine, enhances the fragrance of fruit salads, and lends itself to the preparation of sweet-savoury dishes.