Grape Vine 'Purpurea'

Vitis vinifera 'Purpurea', often called the Teinturier Grape, is grown primarily for its spectacular ornamental foliage. Throughout the summer, the lobed leaves are a deep, smoky plum-purple, which intensifies to brilliant shades of scarlet and crimson in the autumn. It is a deciduous, tendril-climbing vine that can be used to cover pergolas, south-facing walls, or large trellises. While it does produce small, blue-black grapes in late summer, they are bitter and usually left for the birds. This vine is fully hardy (H6) and easy to grow in the UK, provided it is given a sunny, warm spot to allow the foliage to colour well. It thrives in well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil. To keep it in check and encourage the best leaf display, it should be pruned in mid-winter while dormant. It is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner and is an excellent choice for a Mediterranean-style garden or to provide high-impact autumn colour.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, preferably alkaline soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.