Vitis 'Brandt'

black outdoor grape

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: June to July
• Flower colour: tiny green flowers
• Other features: stunning autumnal foliage
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  A vigorous vine that is decorative, as well as edible, with 3 - 5-lobed, fresh green leaves which turn rich red and orange in autumn. During the summer, small clusters of green grapes develop, later ripening to black in autumn. The grapes are small and sweet but full of pips and are best left as a decoration on the vine.
  
  
• Garden care: When planting incorporate plenty of well-rotted organic matter in to the planting hole. It will need some help to clamber up a tree, wall or pergola so you will need to provide some support and tie it in as it grows. Once it has developed a good framework you should shorten all the lateral shoots to within two or three buds from the main stem. It is essential that the majority of the pruning work is tackled in mid winter as the sap tends to 'bleed' at other times of the year, but you can cut back the odd over-long stem to a healthy bud in summer.