Annanasnaja Hardy Kiwi is a vigorous Russian vine that rewrites what's possible for kiwi gardeners in cooler climates. Developed by the legendary plant breeder I.V. Michurin, this cultivar produces thousands of small, grape-sized fruits loaded with intense kiwi flavor and a distinctive pineapple-like sweetness that justifies its Russian name. Growing reliably in zones 5 through 9, it transforms autumn into a harvest season, with fruit arriving in September through November. Unlike tender kiwis that demand southern gardens, Annanasnaja thrives where winters bite, making it the easiest and most productive hardy kiwi available to northern gardeners.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-9
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The sheer abundance sets this vine apart. Raintree Nursery describes it as producing thousands of delicious fruits each season, with clusters of oblong berries the size of large grapes hanging heavy in early fall. The flavor is its true calling card: a fabulously strong, fruity taste that actually tastes like its name suggests, a kiwi crossed with pineapple sweetness. For gardeners who thought hardy kiwis were a compromise between productivity and flavor, Annanasnaja proves you don't have to choose.
Annanasnaja Hardy Kiwi is grown primarily for fresh eating, where its distinctive sweet-tart flavor and kiwi fruit character shine brightest. The small grape-sized fruits are easy to pop whole into your mouth, making them convenient for snacking straight from the vine. The intense flavor also makes them suitable for desserts, smoothies, and preserves where their pineapple-kiwi character would add depth to jams or sauces.
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Harvest Annanasnaja's small, oblong fruits in early fall between September and November when they reach grape size and yield slightly to gentle pressure. The berries will have a mild fragrance when fully ripe. Pick them regularly as they mature to encourage continued fruit production throughout the season. Ripe fruits detach easily from the vine with a gentle twist, indicating they're ready for harvest.
As a vigorous vining cultivar, Annanasnaja responds well to annual pruning to maintain structure and encourage productive fruiting wood. Prune during dormancy in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or diseased canes and thinning overcrowded growth to improve air circulation. The vine's natural tendency to produce abundance means light pruning often suffices; focus on shaping it to your trellis system and removing crossing or tangled growth that could shade fruiting areas.
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“This variety's story is inseparable from I.V. Michurin, the renowned Russian plant breeder whose work fundamentally changed what plants could grow in cold climates. Michurin developed Annanasnaja as part of his broader mission to create fruit varieties suited to Russia's challenging growing seasons. The cultivar's name itself is a direct translation of his vision: in Russian, 'annanasnaja' means 'pineapple-like,' a reference to the extraordinary flavor intensity he bred into the fruit. What emerged from his work was not just a hardy kiwi, but the hardiest and most productive one available, a testament to how systematic breeding can overcome geographic limitations that seemed immovable.”