The strong, fast-growing deciduous vines of the actinidia family are a good choice for a gardener seeking climbing plants with tough, woody stems, suitable for growing on trees, walls or pergolas. The genus originates in eastern Asia, most commonly found across China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan – although it can be found as far north as southern Siberia and as far south as Indochina. Actinidia species can vary from tall shrubs to the more common vines, although they virtually all share a commonality when it comes to their small, seed-filled fruits, which they use for pollination. Some varieties of actinidia, such as Actinidia Kolomikta, the Chinese Gooseberry, have vividly coloured leaves in different colours and sweet-smelling blooms, while others bear a large berry fruit. The most well-known – and tasty! – of these varieties, is Actinidia deliciosa, otherwise known as the kiwifruit, which was only introduced into New Zealand in the 19th century.