Vitis aestivalis
This native North American grape vine climbs by tendrils, bears fragrant flowers and edible blue-black fruit, is found across much of the eastern and midwestern United States, tolerates a wide range of soils and sun exposures, can be propagated by hardwood cuttings in dormancy or by spring layering, and displays vibrant fall foliage.
Common Names
Summer Grape, Pigeon Grape, Silverleaf Grape, Blueleaf Grape, Bunch Grape
Summary
Vitis aestivalis, commonly Summer Grape, is a native North American woody deciduous vine that climbs by tendrils to heights up to about 10–21 meters and may spread over trees or shrubs, leaves are 3–8 inches long, alternate, heart-shaped to 3–5 lobed, with undersides that bear rust-colored cobwebby hairs; flowers appear in dense greenish panicles in late spring to early summer, and fruits are dark blue to black berries in hanging clusters that are edible and used for wine, the species occurs in upland woodlands, thickets, and rocky slopes across eastern and central North America, cultivation emphasizes full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, propagation commonly through cuttings or layering, regular pruning in winter helps control spread and maintain vigor, fruit size ranges about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter and fruiting occurs in late summer to fall, in cultivation, Vitis aestivalis is hardy in USDA zones 5a–8b and offers wildlife value, with berries consumed by birds and mammals, it is resistant to Phylloxera and used as rootstock and in breeding with Vitis vinifera to impart resistance, though it remains susceptible to black rot, downy mildew, powdery mildew, and various pests, Norton cultivar is notable in Missouri, and the fruit can be eaten fresh or processed for jams, jellies, and wine.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
30-35 feet
Spread
3-6 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.0-8.0, Slightly acidic to neutral, Neutral to slightly basic (mildly alkaline) soils
Bloom Color
Greenish yellow
Bloom Time
Late spring to early summer
Foliage Color
Glaucous
Fall Foliage Color
Unknown
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast, sprouts can grow 5-15 feet in the first growing season.
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Layering, Cuttings
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, Attracts birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Michx.
- Publication
- Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 230 (1803)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Vitales
- Family
- Vitaceae
- Genus
- Vitis
Inferior Taxa
Synonyms
Vitis labruscoides Vitis fulva Vitis glareosa Vitis intermedia Vitis ursina Vitis saxatilis Vitis serotina Vitis lecontiana Vitis aestivalis var. argentifolia Vitis aestivalis var. aestivalis Vitis linsecomii var. linsecomii Vitis rufotomentosa Vitis labrusca var. aestivalis Vitis aestivalis var. sinuata Vitis sinuata Vitis smalliana Vitis aestivalis var. smalliana Vitis aestivalis var. bourquiniana Vitis multiloba Vitis americana Vitis aestivalis var. bicolor Vitis aestivalis var. glauca Vitis linsecomii var. glauca Vitis linsecomii var. lactea Vitis aestivalis var. linsecomii Vitis vinifera var. aestivalis Vitis vinifera var. americana Vitis bourquiniana Vitis diversifolia Vitis virginiana Vitis bifida Vitis bicolor Vitis linsecomii Vitis aestivalis subsp. smalliana Vitis argentifolia Vitis vinifera var. multiloba Vitis labrusca f. aestivalis Vitis bicolor