About
A vigorous, deciduous climber about 7m tall, with rounded, palmate, 3-5 lobed, lime green leaves to 22cm long, turning deep bronze-red with green veins in autumn Insignificant greenish summer flowers followed by large bunches of edible, blue-black grapes.
About the genus
Vitis are vigorous deciduous climbing shrubs with tendrils and attractively lobed leaves, insignificant green flowers followed by often edible fruits; some have excellent autumn foliage colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Fruit Edible
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityPets (dogs): Harmful if eaten whether fruits are edible or ornamental - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun, in well-drained, humus-rich soil, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline, mulch to keep soil moist. See grape cultivation
PruningPruning group 11 in midwinter, and in midsummer to restrict growth if necessary. See grape pruning
PropagationPropagate by layering in autumn or hardwood cuttings in late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to grapevine blister mite, glasshouse red spider mite, brown scale, woolly vine scale and spotted wing drosophila (fruit fly)
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, grey moulds, honey fungus and virus diseases; see grapevine diseases