Hardy kiwi male pollinator “Clark” (Actinidia arguta)
LIGHT
Clark loves full sun — aim for at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. He’ll tolerate partial shade, but more sun means more vigorous growth.
WATERING
Water deeply and consistently, especially while he’s getting established. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid waterlogged roots — good drainage is a must!
POTTING & SOIL
If keeping him in a container for now, make sure it has drainage holes and use a well-draining potting mix. He’ll eventually want to be planted in the ground with room to spread out.
FERTILIZING
Feed with a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. Go easy on the nitrogen — too much can discourage fruiting in female plants he may be paired with.
GROWTH HABIT
Clark is a vigorous climbing vine — he’ll need a trellis, fence, or arbor to grow on. He can reach 10–15 feet or more at maturity, so give him something sturdy! You can also prune him back if he’s getting out of hand, since you really just need him for his flowers.
HIS ROLE
As a male kiwi, Clark is a pollinator — he won’t produce fruit himself, but he’s essential for pollinating female kiwi plants nearby. One Clark can pollinate up to 8 female plants.
HARDINESS
Clark is cold-hardy down to around -25°F (-32°C), making him a great choice for colder climates.
Happy growing! 🥝
Aurora honeyberry/haskap (Lonicera caerulea)
LIGHT
Aurora does best in full sun to partial shade — aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. More sun generally means better fruit production! She will do okay in light shade, though, and even deep shade although you won’t likely get much fruit.
WATERING
Water regularly, especially during her first season as she gets established. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Honeyberries are fairly drought-tolerant once established, but they’ll thank you for consistent moisture during fruiting.
SOIL
Aurora isn’t too picky about soil, but she prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.0). Amend with compost at planting time for a great head start.
FERTILIZING
Feed with a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring—or just mulch with compost. It’s not necessary, Aurora will be fine without it, but it’s helpful. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which can promote leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
POLLINATION
Honeyberries are not entirely self-fertile, so Aurora will need a compatible pollinator nearby to produce the maximum amount of fruit. Other honeyberry varieties that bloom at the same time (such as Tundra, Borealis, or Indigo Gem) make great companions.
FRUITING
Aurora is one of the largest and sweetest honeyberry varieties, producing long, dark blue berries with a flavor reminiscent of blueberries and raspberries. She typically fruits in late spring — one of the earliest fruits of the season!
HARDINESS
Aurora is extremely cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -40°F (-40°C). She also requires a period of winter chill to fruit well, making her perfect for northern gardens.
PRUNING
Minimal pruning is needed in the first few years. Once mature, light pruning after harvest helps maintain shape and encourages new fruiting wood.
Happy growing! 🫐
Chicago Hardy Fig (Ficus carica)
LIGHT
Figs love the sun! Give your Chicago Fig at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The more sun, the sweeter the fruit.
WATERING
Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings — figs don’t like soggy roots. Once established in the ground, they’re quite drought-tolerant. Container-grown figs will need more frequent watering since pots dry out faster.
POTTING & SOIL
In colder climates, many gardeners start figs in containers so they can be moved indoors for winter. Use a well-draining potting mix and a container with good drainage holes. If planting in the ground, choose a warm, sheltered spot — near a south-facing wall is ideal.
FERTILIZING
Feed with a balanced organic slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in midsummer. Be careful not to over-fertilize — too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
FRUITING
Chicago Hardy is a self-fertile variety, meaning it doesn’t need a pollinator to produce fruit — one plant is all you need! It typically produces two crops: a smaller early crop in summer and a main crop in late summer to fall. Fruits ripen to a brownish-purple and are wonderfully sweet.
HARDINESS
Chicago Hardy lives up to its name — it’s one of the most cold-tolerant fig varieties, surviving temperatures down to around -10°F (-23°C). In zones 5–6, the top growth may die back in an especially harsh winter, but the roots will typically re-sprout in spring.
PRUNING
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead or damaged wood and thin out crowded branches to improve airflow and light. In colder zones, wait until you can see which branches survived winter before pruning.
WINTER CARE
In colder climates (zones 5–6), give your fig a little extra protection in winter. Mulch heavily around the base, and if it’s in a pot, move it to an unheated garage or basement. In-ground plants can be wrapped in burlap for added protection if you know an extra tough cold snap is inbound.
Happy growing! 🍈
Black Velvet Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
LIGHT
Black Velvet does best in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, a little afternoon shade is appreciated and can help prevent berry sunscald. Aim for at least 4–6 hours of sunlight per day.
WATERING
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting. Gooseberries don’t like to dry out completely, but they also dislike waterlogged conditions — well-draining soil is key. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and keep roots cool.
SOIL
Black Velvet prefers rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). Work in compost at planting time to give it a strong start.
FERTILIZING
Feed with a balanced organic, slow-release fertilizer or top-dress with compost in early spring as growth begins. Avoid excess nitrogen, which can make plants more susceptible to powdery mildew.
FRUITING
Black Velvet is a self-fertile variety, so no pollinator is needed — one plant will produce fruit on its own! Berries ripen to a deep, dark purple-black with a smooth, velvety skin and a rich, sweet flavor with mild tartness — excellent for fresh eating, jams, and baking. Expect fruit in early to midsummer.
HARDINESS
Gooseberries are very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -40°F (-40°C). They do require a period of winter chill to fruit well, making them a fantastic choice for cooler climates.
PRUNING
Prune in late winter or early spring while the plant is still dormant. Remove old, unproductive wood and open up the center of the plant for good airflow — this is especially important for preventing powdery mildew, to which gooseberries can be prone.
THORNS
A heads up — Black Velvet has thorns, so gardening gloves are your best friend at harvest time and when pruning!
Happy growing! 🫐