Actinidia arguta 'Andrey'

If you want to grow hardy kiwi vine for the fruit as well as the flowers, you need both a male and a female. Hardy kiwi vine 'Andrey' is a male, capable of pollinating 5 female vines.   In addition it offers clusters of greenish white flowers with a fragrance reminescent of lily of the valley in May and June.

'Andrey' comes from Vladivostok in Russia. It's hardy to -35, so you can be confidnet Chicago winters won't faze it. It's not fussy about soil. And it's happy in full sun or part shade. However, it will need frequent pruning and strong support...the vines are heavy.   A note of warning to cat owners: this vine smells like catnip to cats, and they may harm foliage or dig at the roots.