Summer Grape
Vitis aestivalis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Vitaceae
- Genus:
- Vitis
- Species:
- Vitis aestivalis
- USDA Symbol:
- VIAE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:grapevine leafminer (Phyllocnistis vitegenella), Phyllocnistis vitifoliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, foxes, deer, turkey
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, red
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Common in fire-maintained woodlands and forest edges.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-poor soils typical of its native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification; germination can be erratic. Fresh seed germinates more reliably than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Fungicide (CaptanNitavax), Hormodin #3 (indolebutyric acid) rooting hormone
Establishment: Attempts to root vine cuttings in a cold frame and directly in the field were unsuccessful. The most successful method was greenhouse propagation. Collections made in the winter of 1993 will be rooted in the greenhouse and planted to a raised bed in the field.
Source: npn.rngr.net