About
Ampelopsis megalophylla is a robust deciduous vine characterized by its bluish-green stems and large leaves that can reach lengths of up to 60 cm. Each leaf comprises 7 to 9 ovate leaflets, displaying a dark green hue on the top and a glaucous finish underneath. In autumn, the foliage transforms to shades of red and yellow-orange. Late summer sees the emergence of small green flowers, which are succeeded by pink-purple berries that mature to a black color, measuring approximately 6 mm in diameter.
About the genus
Ampelopsis consists of robust, self-supporting deciduous woody vines characterized by their simple, lobed, or pinnately divided foliage, which frequently changes color in the fall. The plants produce inconspicuous greenish blooms that are succeeded by berries that can be blue or black.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Native to
- W China
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Fruiting will be most reliable when grown in a sunny site, especially where root growth can be restricted
- Pruning
- Pruning group 11, in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing seed in containers in an open frame in autumn, or stratify and sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Root softwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free