Actinidia - close up!

beautiful colours

thanks Irish, it is a bit nice is'nt it! when i bought it, it was dormant - just a twig, and the leaves on the picture were half pink and half green, so i was a bit dissapointed when mine turned out all green, but now it seems to be changing for autumn and its truely is stunning, - just goes to show that a little patence goes a long way!

I've had mine for some years and it has only ever had coloured leaves once. What am I doing wrong? It looks more like a climber than a bush. Should I cut it back and if so when?

Sadie, your gues is as good as mine. it seems to have changed pink in the last few days but it is nothing like the pink varigation that i thought it would be. but it is a climber i do know that, as for cutting back i'm not sure to be honest....... bare with me a mo and i'll see if i can find any info in my book......right this is what it says, there are different type all are climbers, mine is A.kolomikta which is suposed to have dark green leaves which mature to varigated pink and cream, but judging by the pic's in my book this only happens once fully established. apparently bares clusters of 3 fragrant white flowers 2cm across, in early summer (mine did'nt do this!) and female plants produce smooth ovoid-oblong yellow-green fruits in autumn - but i think you need a male and female plant for this to happen.

they are fully hardy to frost hardy. grow in fertile well drained soil in full sun, sheltered from strong winds (i have mine in the right place - i think!) apply a ballanced liquid feed monthy during the growing season (mine get a drop of miricle grow every so often). prune in late winter. i think i have the conditions right for mine. so prob just a case of wait and see. but there are different types - do you know what yours is? i'll look it up for you if it's not the same as mine.

Majeekahead, mine is the same as yours. I think I may give it a bit of a prune in the winter and start feeding in Spring. Thanks for the information.