Vitis riparia

RHS Plant Profile

riverbank grape

Other common names

frost grape

Synonyms

Vitis vulpina misapplied

Climber Wall Shrub

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A vigorous woody climber with heart-shaped, sometimes lobed, coarsely toothed bright green leaves up to 20cm across. Small, scented yellow-green flowers are produced in spring, followed by clusters of blue-black fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Vitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten whether fruits are edible or ornamental - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Vitis are vigorous deciduous climbing shrubs with tendrils and attractively lobed leaves, insignificant green flowers followed by often edible fruits; some have excellent autumn foliage colour
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun, in well-drained, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Keep watered in dry spells. The fruits of this species are popular with wildlife, though generally too sour for human consumption

Propagation

Propagate by layering in autumn or hardwood cuttings in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Climber and wall shrubs
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 11 in midwinter, and in midsummer to restrict growth if necessary. See grape pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to grapevine blister mite, glasshouse red spider mite, brown scale, woolly vine scale and spotted wing drosophila (fruit fly)

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, grey moulds, honey fungus and virus diseases; see grapevine diseases