About
Vigorous, large ornamental climber about 7m tall, with deeply-lobed leaves, plum-purple in summer, deepening to dark purple in late summer and crimson-tinted in autumn. Insignificant greenish flowers followed by small, deep purple fruits.
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
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, 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
CultivationVigorous decorative vine with unpalatable fruits, best in a sunny position in well-drained, preferably neutral or alkaline soil
PruningPruning group 11 in midwinter and in midsummer, pruning group 12 for formal training
PropagationPropagate by layering or hardwood cuttings
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