Felder Rushing
Family
Vitaceae
Botanical Name
Vitis vinifera
Plant Common Name
Common Grape, European Grape
General Description
The common grape is an ornamental, fruit-bearing vine with bold leaves, colorful and delicious fruits and interesting stems and bark. Cultivated varieties are many, and fruit color may be blue-black, green or red, depending on the selection. Most cultivars are the European standards for winemaking and include ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Pinot Noir’, and ‘Sauvignon Blanc.’ Many selections are bred for eating too.
Records show that this grape originated from western Asia and was first domesticated as early as 4000 B.C. It is believed to have been brought to Europe around 600 B.C., and the Greeks popularized wine production shortly after.
Common grape is a vigorous woody vine that produces clusters of flavorful tight-skinned fruit. It generally requires full to partial sun and sharply drained, fertile, alkaline soil. It must undergo a period of cold dormancy in winter, and prefers high heat in summer to set quality fruit. Varieties vary widely in hardiness and other characteristics, and should be chosen based on their suitability for local conditions. Vines require regular pruning and training for best health, vigor, flowering and fruiting. Pruning is best done in late winter. Healthy vines can produce for several decades.
This grape can be used as a shade source atop pergolas and arbors, as a wall covering, or as a fruit crop in fields. Numerous pests and diseases can afflict grapes, from mildew, leaf spot and dieback to scale insects, deer and rabbits. In fact, the common grape is often grafted onto American grape rootstock in order to create a strong plant resistant to the deadly root aphid that wiped out Europe's vineyards in the mid 19th century.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
-
Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Fruit
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Height
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
-
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
-
Native To
Mediterranean, Turkey, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Vining/Climbing
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Insignificant
-
Fruit Color
Red, Blue, Purple, Light Green, Black
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Red, Green, Orange, Copper, Bronze
-
Bark Color
Brown, Chocolate
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
Yes
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Coarse
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
Yes
