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Cissus alata 'Ellen Danica'

Image of Cissus alata 'Ellen Danica'

James Burghardt

Family

Vitaceae

Botanical Name

Cissus alata 'Ellen Danica'

Plant Common Name

Ellen Danica Grape Ivy, Grape Ivy

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Given its name for its black fruits, grape ivy selection 'Ellen Danica' boasts handsomely toothed leaves that are deep glossy green upon hairy stems. A modest, climbing or rambling evergreen vine, it hails from Central and South America and the Caribbean Basin.

The leaves are trifoliate, each comprised of three leaflets that are rhombus-shaped with sparse teeth on their edges. Light bronze-green when young, the leaves mature to a deeper green and bear red hairs on their underside. In summer, unshowy, haired green flowers appear and give way to rounded black fruits gathered in sparse clusters. The plant climbs with tendrils.

Grow 'Ellen Danica' in a loamy, fertile, well-draining soil that is not alkaline. It tolerates full sun to full shade conditions, allowing it to be grown outdoors in tropical areas or indoors as a houseplant. Allow soil to dry out between waterings, and keep the plant drier in winter. Use it as a vine to cover a modest-sized wall outdoors, or as a rambling groundcover. Indoors, this plant is great in a container but perhaps most impressive in a hanging basket.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 9

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    11 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 13, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Vine/Liana

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade

  • Height

    8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m (10)

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer

  • Native To

    Latin America and the Caribbean

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Vining/Climbing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Green

  • Fruit Color

    Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical, Vine

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No