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Climber Wall Shrub

Ampelopsis megalophylla

large-leaved pepper vine

Vigorous deciduous climber with glaucous shoots and leaves, to 60cm long, made up of 7-9 ovate, dark green leaflets, which are glaucous on the reverse. Leaves turn red and yellow/orange in autumn. Small green flowers are borne in late summer, followed by pink-purple berries which ripen to black, 6mm across.

Synonyms

Vitis megalophylla

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Vitaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Ampelopsis are vigorous self-clinging deciduous woody climbers with attractive simple, lobed or pinnately divided leaves often colouring in autumn, and insignificant greenish flowers, followed by blue or black berries
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained, fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Fruiting will be most reliable when grown in a sunny site, especially where root growth can be restricted

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in containers in an open frame in autumn, or stratify and sow seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Root softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

Pruning group 11, in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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