I have planted three (1 male and 2 female) fuzzy kiwis to cover my pergola, shown in the picture. I am in Norther VA. I also have some hardy kiwis growing on a trellis. In Newport News, I recommend the fuzzy kiwis. I recommend the Saanichton variety for your females.

do the kiwis keep their leave during winter? do the deer eat them?

Hmmm .... I never thought of them. I heard they grow pretty fast, but do they stay green in the winter?

1dog - They lose their leaves in the winter and I am not sure if the deer like them. Mine are protected by my backyard fence. Eventually, the leaves will be too high for the deer to reach.

Virginia-Mike - They grow very fast, but do not stay green through the winter.

Thanks for your help. I like the kiwi idea, and I think the kids and grand kids will love them as well.

Kiwi is a very vigorous, lush, robust vine. It is quite deciduous. Unfortunately, it is not the least bit deer resistant. You will also need but male and female vines if you want fruit. Nice plant but it is bit like kudzu in the right climate. You might also consider grape, jasmine or passion vines (some of which are quite cold hardy). You might also consider Pyrocantha, which while not actually a vine is ofter espaliered. It is evergreen and cold hardy to about zone 6b and has red berries in the Winter.

Mike - Regarking the deer, you can protect the 1st year vines with a wire enclosure up to about 6 feet and later they will be too high for the deer to do much damage.