Vitis vinifera fruit (03/09/2011, Amorgos, Greece)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well drained
Flowering period: Mid spring
Eventual Height: 35m
Eventual Spread: 5m
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4b-9a
V.vinifera is a long stemmed woody climbing vine, with flaky bark. The leaves are alternate, palmately lobed, 5-20cm long and mid-green. The leaves turn yellow, orange or red during autumn. V.vinifera use trees and other forms of support to clim to gain better access to light; using twining tendrils to gain support. The fruit is a berry, commonly known as a grape; in the wild species it has a 6 mm diameter and ripens dark purple to a blackish hue with a pale wax bloom.
Vitis vinifera (03/09/2011, Amorgos, Greece)
V.vinifera, commonly known as the Common Grape Vine, is a species of Vitis native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe and southwestern Asia. In the wild this species is found by streams in humid forests. The wild form of the Grape is known as V.vinifera subsp. sylvestris with the cultivated form know as V.vinifera subsp. vinifera. Cultivars of this species form the basis of the majority of wines produced all around the world. Humans have been using this plant since the Neolith period.
V.vinifera derived from the Latin word Vitis meaning ‘vine or grape vine’. Vinifera is derived from the Latin meaning ‘wine bearing’.
This plant is useful to the landscape architect as a vigorous fruit bearing climber suitable for wall training. It can also be trained to provide a shade providing canopy. This plant requires supports to climb.
Ecologically this plant is a source of food for aphids called Phyloxera Vastatrix, species which affect its rooting system. Birds, rabbits and deer also use the vine as a source of nutrition by nibbling the bark as well as eating the fruit.
Vitis vinifera shading (03/09/2011, Amorgos, Greece)
This plant prefers well drained soil conditions, soil pH being neutral to basic and soil texture from sand to clay.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given a number of varieties of the climber V.vinifera their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Maintenance: To produce quality grapes, choose a variety which is suitable for the climate. It should be pruned in late winter and if necessary once during the summer months.
