Chinese Gooseberry Actinidia chinensis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Chinese Gooseberry:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-tih-NID-ee-uh chi-NEN-sis
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Chinese gooseberry is a rapidly growing woody deciduous climbing vine in the Actinidiaceae family. It can be grown in a variety of soil and pH conditions but prefers moist, loamy, neutral, well-drained soil. It will produce its fruits in both full sun and semi-shade, however, the best fruit production will occur in full sun. Its rapid growth rate makes it a great choice for sturdy trellises, arbors, fences, or walls. Slightly more cold hardy than Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia melanandra.
It can be found growing in thickets and oak forests on slopes or in ravines. This dioecious climber has either male or female flowers. For propagation, both need to be grown to be pollinated by bees and insects.
The leaves and fruit are both edible. The flavorful fruits which are rich with vitamin C contain small seeds that are typically eaten with the fruit. When slightly soft under pressure, they are ready to eat. Very soft fruit is considered too ripe and not edible.
Flower buds emerge from last year's stems, so pruning in the fall or winter is discouraged.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Occasional root-knot nematodes, thrips, passion vine hopper, crown gall, root rot may affect the plant. They are not cold hardy. Its rapid growth can quickly get out of hand if not closely monitored.
Compare this Plant to: Actinidia kolomikta, Actinidia melanandra
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. deliciosa
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- var. deliciosa
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Actinidia
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Actinidiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Asia, China
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are pollinated by bees.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Textural
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- No serious insect or disease problems.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Edibility:
- Fruit is a fuzzy brown large edible berry.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The egg-shaped fruit is a fuzzy brown large edible berry that is formed on female plants. They are formed on second-year wood and fruit spurs of older wood.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant white blooms appear in May. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown to get fruit) and are pollinated by bees. Flower open white, then fade to creamy yellow.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- When young, the foliage appears to have a halo, which is actually the short hairs. As the foliage ages, the hairs will no longer be present. The blades are thick and have a lightly impressed vein on top and more prominent raised veins on the underside. New growth can be showy.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- The new bark is green, turning dark brown quickly. As the plant ages, the bark is a lighter brown. Paper can be made from the bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are whip-like, and twining. The branchlets are reddish in color. Young branchlets are white pubescent to brownish.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
