About
Insignificant green, slightly perfumed flowers are borne in late spring followed by clusters of purple fruits up to 1cm across in autumn. A vigorous, deciduous climber reaching up to 12m in height and 4m across. The 3-5 lobed leaves are purple-red in spring with a woolly white underside, maturing to an olive green colour in summer before turning orange and scarlet-red in the autumn.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
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 any reasonably fertile, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 11 in midwinter and again in midsummer, to restrict growth if needed
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