Plant · P-008

Grape American

Vitis labrusca

A vigorous, deciduous woody vine that climbs by tendrils into trees, over fences and along woodland edges, capable of reaching many meters in an unmanaged setting. Small fragrant flowers open in late spring, followed by musky-flavored, thick-skinned purple to bronze fruit in loose clusters that ripen in late summer and are eaten fresh, dried, or made into juice, jelly and preserves; young leaves and tendrils are also edible. Birds readily eat and disperse the seed, so volunteer vines turn up well beyond where one was planted. Needs full sun for good fruit ripening and deep, humus-rich, well-drained soil, tolerating both dry spells and periods of wetter ground once established, and requires a sturdy support and regular pruning to fruit well under cultivation.