About
A woody plant, climbing by tendrils, about 15-18m tall. This species has many named cultivars, selected for edible fruits, or for ornamental qualities as the leaves are variable in size, shape and colour. Flowers are tiny, greenish, in loose panicles, fruit oval or globose grapes. Leaves are 3 or 5-lobed, coarsely toothed, to 15cm long and wide, with stalks half as long as the blade.
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 typeFruit Edible, Climber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage 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 outdoors in full sun, in well-drained, humus-rich soil, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline, mulch to keep soil moist, and provide support; for more advice, see outdoor grape cultivation
PruningPruning is required to encourage flowering and fruiting, and to increase air circulation and so reduce the risk of disease: see grape pruning and training
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings in late autumn or winter, or by softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings from late spring to midsummer or grafting onto Phylloxera resistant rootstocks
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. For further advice see grapevine diseases