Frost Grape
Vitis vulpina
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Vitaceae
- Genus:
- Vitis
- Species:
- Vitis vulpina
- USDA Symbol:
- VIVU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 2000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Achemon sphinx (Eumorpha achemon), Brown-tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea), Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides), Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), grapevine leafminer (Phyllocnistis vitegenella), Heliozela aesella, Phyllocnistis vitifoliella, Phyllocnistis vitigenella, Sheppard's plume moth (Geina sheppardi)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:grapevine leafminer (Phyllocnistis vitegenella), Phyllocnistis vitifoliella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in floodplains and riverbanks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.