The Kiwi variety Heyword is one of the latest flowering and most frost-hardy varieties of actinidia. The plant is distinguished by a strong, tall vine reaching a length of over 6 m, as well as large single female-type flowers that, when withering, acquire a cream-white hue with a slight yellowish aftertaste. The flowering period usually falls in June, but depending on climatic conditions can shift to the end of summer.
Heyword fruits have an oval shape, slightly flattened on the sides, 3 to 10 cm in length and up to 145 g in mass. The peel is thin, brown, covered with soft fuzz, and easily separates from the juicy light-green flesh. The taste of the fruit is sour-sweet with a bright aroma; it contains a significant amount of vitamin C. Fruit-bearing begins approximately in the third year after planting, and yield increases annually with proper care and correct choice of habitat.
The variety is distinguished by high frost hardiness: with the protection of plants capable of withstanding temperatures up to -30°C, which makes them suitable for cultivation in cold regions. Heyword is also valued for self-fertility (self-pollination), decorativeness and ease of transport – fruits retain freshness for more than 6 months after harvesting. For optimal growth, a fertile, slightly acidic soil with moderate moisture is recommended; in greenhouses the plant shows particularly strong growth force and resistance to diseases.
