How to Grow Ornamental Grape

Ornamental Grapes are a lovely addition to any cool/temperate garden where a climber with fantastic autumnal colours is required. A deciduous, but relatively fast growing vine, giving vibrant green leaves in spring and summer and vibrant orange and red tones in autumn. Known as nearly indestructible, they will require some pruning to shape/size, but do not usually hold onto any fruit, creating little mess and attracting few pests.

Full sun to part shade

Regular deep watering

Good drainage

All year round

How to grow ornamental grape in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. A trellis, frame or veranda post is required for these climbing plants. Good air flow and low levels of humidity are also a bonus.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down.

Step 4

Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 6

Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser around the root zone every 8 weeks from spring until mid autumn to promote good soil health.

How to grow ornamental grape in a pot

Not usually a pot specimen, however, for a small trellis or balcony area you can grow in a pot.

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 500 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun or part shade, with trellis or small climbing frame.

Step 2

Fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease out any tightly curled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 4

Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser around the root zone every 8 weeks from spring until mid autumn to promote good soil health and keep the vine well nourished. Will need to be kept trimmed to size if growing in a container. Maintain good drainage for this sort of plant in a potted environment.

Growing tips

Ornamental grapes are easy to grow and hardy plants, requiring less work and fertilising than fruiting grapes. They also have fewer pest and diseases. You may have to watch out for the odd fungal disease, so spray accordingly if required with a Yates fungicide.
Plant in full sun for best colour in autumn. Best colours set in a cooler climate.
Lovely when grown as a cover over a pergola area where they provide summer shade, but let the sun through in winter.