(Frost Grape, River Grape, Spanish Grape)
Vitis riparia, Vitis berlandieri
The Frost or River Grape and Spanish Grape (the term "wild grape" will be used, too, covering both species) have extremely healthy yet "genuine" vine leaves. They are easy to care for and are particularly suited for decorative purposes; they create a "wine-atmosphere" without much maintenance.
Sunny (full sun) to (semi-)shaded Position, will develop more intense yellow and red autumn colours in the sun.
A climber with tendrils, vigorous growth, yearly growth up to 1-4metres, may also cascade like a bridal train. Foliage from May to October.



Inconspicuous green-yellow flowers in early summer, insignificant or no fruit at all. Advantage: problems which can occur in ripening and ripe (wine-) grapes are avoided.
Rods, trellises, pergolas, arbours. Wires or (wire) ropes especially to attach the old sturdy stems. Stem formation and training similar to illustrations for the wine grape. For suitable systems see below. Light, on walls better Medium and Heavy Duty Support Systems.




Summer and winter pruning as needed, to restrain the vigorous growth habit and to prevent the plants from becoming straggly. Best trained as cordons with spur pruning as for the wine grape.
There are well over 100 Vitis species with varying mildew and frost resistance. In Germany, propagations of V. riparia and V. berlandieri are commonly used as rootstock for grafting and can be used for greening if necessary. "Vitis odorissima" (no English common name) is no longer commercially available, but there are still some examples in botanical gardens. The following grapes used for grafting form only male flowers, hence produce no grapes at all, and are therefore particularly suitable: Teleki 8B, SO 4, Boerner, Couderc 3309. Unfortunately they are hard to come by, because stock used for grafting is not intended for common sale.














Please click on the graphic illustrations !
| = suitable |
| = moderately suitable |
| = unsuitable |