Featured Plants : grapes

LaCrescent Grapes Great For Desserts And White Wine

patti-nhn — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:41:00 GMT

The LaCrescent Grape Vitis 'LaCrescent' is known for making excellent white wine and is its primary use. However, it is also delicious in desserts. This dark purple grape has high acidity which gives it good structure. It grows in medium sized clusters. It is extremely winter-hardy and has low susceptibility to Powdery Mildew and Black Rot. It has moderate susceptibility to Downy Mildew. The LaCrescent grapes are also highly resistant to berry splitting and Botrytis.

Being winter hardy, the LaCrescent can be grown from zone 4 to zone 8. It will flower in June with white flowers and ripen in mid-season. The foliage will turn a red color in the fall. With the twisted vines, grapes make very ornamental plants in your landscape and garden. This variety will mature from 8 to 10 feet tall and will spread from 3 to 4 feet tall. Grapes require moist, well drained soil and full sun. You will need a strong structure to grow them on like arbors or trellises, even fences. Growing your own grapes can be cost saving and they tend to taste better when you pick them fresh off the vine.

Edelweiss Grapes, Like The Song, "You'll Be Happy To See Them".

patti-nhn — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:16:00 GMT

It's corny I know, but, I had to compare these grapes to the song "Edelweiss" from the old movie "The Sound of Music". The Edelweiss Grapes Vitis 'Edelweiss' are known for their sweet flavor and are often used in dessert wines and white wine making. They are wonderful fresh with their high sugar content that gives them a great flavor without overwhelming you. The Edelweiss grape is a grape that grows in large clusters and are greenish-white in color.

This Edelweiss Grape will mature from 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It will do bewt in moist, well-drained soil and full sun. The flowers are greenish in color when they pop out in June. The fruit is ripe in late August and after harvest, in fall, the leaves will have yellow-orange color that is very attractive. Grape vines are also attractive in the winter after the leaves fall off. Grapes need a trellis, arbor, fence or wall to grow on, something that will support the plant and the fruit after it ripens. The Edelweiss is cold hardy from zone 4 to zone 8.

The Bluebell Grape Has Great Table Quality

patti-nhn — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:20:00 GMT

If you want a tasty grape that you can serve fresh for company, the Bluebell Grape 'Vitus Bluebell' is one of the best. The berries are blue-black in color and medium to large in size. The Bluebell resembles a Concord but the skin is more tender and the hardiness is better. This makes a good substitute for a Concord in the colder Northern climates. Bluebell grapes are often used for wines as well as fresh, in salads and many other recipes.

The Bluebell is very ornamental with its attractive fruit, summer foliage, a bit of fall color and a twisted trunk. Grapes can be grown on fences, trellises and walls. They should be planted with a Southern exposure for best ripening. The Bluebell will grow from 8 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, sometimes used as a hedge. Moist, well-drained soil is preferred. It is hardy from zones 4 to 8. It will flower in June and ripen in early to mid-September in the Northern climates. For an attractive plant and healthy eating too, this would be a great choice!

Brianna White Grape Grows In Large Clusters

patti-nhn — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:03:00 GMT

If you are looking for a delicious white grape the Brianna Grape Vitis 'Brianna' is the one for you. The grapes are actually a greenish gold color when they are ripe and they will grow in large clusters on the vine. They are often used for wine making as well as great eaten fresh. The Brianna has a semi-sweet flavor and is often used for wine making. The taste has been described as a honey-apricot-peach flavor.

The Brianna Grape can be grown in a wide variety of soils but does require well-drained, moist soil. Brianna grapes will mature from 3 feet to 4 feet in spread. They are best grown on the Southern side of buildings and out of strong winds. You will need a trellis, fence arbor or even a wall to grow them on. Brianna will have white flowers in June and can be harvested in September. They are hardy from zone 5 to zone 8. Growing your own grapes can save you money and tend to be more flavorful not to mention the health benefits they provide.

Mars Grapes Versatile And Fast Growing

patti-nhn — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:45:00 GMT

You won't have to fly to Mars to get this delicious and seedless blue grape. The Mars Grape 'Vitis Mars' is an average sized grape that grows in full clusters. It is a vigorous grower and can even grow its first fruits early. It has a good resistance to diseases like powdery mildew and black rot. The Mars grapes have a tough skin that will easily separate from the flesh. The flesh is very pulpy so would do well in desserts and eaten fresh. They have a flavor similar to a Concord grape.

The height of the Mars grape vines can grow from 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Grapes require moist, well-drained soil and lots of full sun. They do need good support to grow on which can be trellises, arbors, fences to name a few. They are best planted on the south side of a building or near a windbreak to block any strong winds. They are hardy from zone 5 to zone 8. Grape vines are considered ornamental due to their twisting, winding vines and the flower colors and occasional fall color. Growing your own grapes can save you money at the grocery store and homegrown tend to be fresher and more tasty.

Frontenac Grapes Are Perfect For Northern Gardens

patti-nhn — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:17:00 GMT

If you are looking for a cold hardy grape for Northern gardens, this Frontenac Grape 'Vitis Frontenac' is an excellent variety for you. It has proven to be hardy down to 30 degrees below zero. This makes it hardy from zone 4 to zone 8. If you like wine making, the Frontenac is one of the best for making red wines. It was developed by the University of Minnesota so has had to hold up in their cold temperatures. It is a vigorous grower and is disease resistant to Downy and Powdery Mildew.

The Frontenac will produce white flowers in June and when the fruit ripens the grapes are small and dark blue in color. They can be eaten fresh, used in desserts and fruit salads as well as for wine. Grapes need a strong support to grow on like a trellis, fence or wall. They can be used to create some privacy as well. Moist, well-drained soil and full sun are required. It is best to plant them with a Southern exposure and near buildings or windbreaks to keep them protected from strong winds. Growing your own grapes is not only fun, they are much fresher than what you would get at the store. Growing your own grapes will save you money and can be a great learning experience for your kids.

A Cold Hardy Valiant Vigorous Blue Grape

patti-nhn — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

The Valiant Grape Vitis 'Valiant' is known for its vigorous growth and its round blue grapes. The up to half inch diameter fruits are great for jams, jellies and juices. They can be eaten fresh but they are a tart grape so be prepared for a little zing as you bite into them. This grape has low acid and high sugar content. The skins are easy to remove which makes them easier to prepare for cooking. Growing your own grapes will help you save money on your grocery bill and they generally taste better as they are fresh picked. Plus you have the satisfaction of knowing you grew your own grapes.

If you are in a hurry, the Valiant Grapes are fast growers and can bear fruit in about 2 years in good growing conditions. The grapes flower in June and the fruit ripens in late August. Valiant is vigorous and has been known to do well all the way down to 35 degrees below zero with little to no injury. The mature height on the Valiant Grape is 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It is hardy from zones 3 to 8. Grapes require moist, well-drained soil and full sun. They will need a strong support to grow on like an arbor, trellis, fence or wall. They do best planted with a southern exposure and near a building or windbreak to protect the plants from strong winds.

Swenson Grapes Are Large Round Red And Delicious

patti-nhn — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:20:00 GMT

The Swenson Red Grape Vitis 'Swenson Red' is known for its large round red fruits that are very sweet with their high sugar content. This grape vine will mature from 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Grapes require moist, well-drained soil as well as full sun for best fruit production. The Swenson will flower in June and the fruits will ripen in early September. This grape is a vigorous grower and very productive.

Grapes can be used for wine, dessert, juice, jams, jellies as well as eaten fresh. You will need a strong support for the vines which is generally a good trellis, arbor, fence or wall. Grape vines can be very attractive all season long with their green leaves, flowering and then the rich colors of the grapes. Growing your own produce is a great way to cut costs on your grocery bill.

Try The Worden Blue-Black Sweet Grapes

patti-nhn — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:56:00 GMT

The Worden Grape 'Vitis Worden' is known for its sweetness and its wonderful blue-black color. It grows in large clusters and is hardy from zone 4 to zone 8. It also is mildew resistant. The growth of this grape is very vigorous. It has been used for fresh eating, desserts, jams, cobblers and fruit salads. It is just plain delicious. The white flowers bloom in June and the fruit ripens in early September. While grape vines will provide home grown freshness and save you money at the grocery store, they are also considered decorative with the winding vines, attractive leaves and the color from the fruit as it grows.

Grapes need a good strong support structure such as an arbor, trellis, fence or even a wall. They can be used in areas where you would like some privacy. Moist, well-drained soil is best and full sun is necessary for good fruit production. It is good if you can plant them on a Southern exposure and preferably near a building or windbreak that can provide protection from strong winds. The Worden Grape will grow from 3 to 4 feet tall and spread 3 to 4 feet wide. It is hardy from zone 3 to zone 8. Growing grapes are also a great learning experience for children as they can help throughout the planting and growing and, oh yes, eating!

Reliance Red Seedless Grapes

patti-nhn — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Reliance Seedless Grapes 'Vitis 'Reliance' is a high quality dessert grape. It is a purple-red, medium sized berry and is one of the best tasting grapes. This grape can be eaten fresh as well as used in desserts, jams, jellies and fruit salads. One of the interesting things about the Reliance grape is that it will go through many color changes before it is fully ripe. The changes tend to vary according to where it is grown. It can vary from almost no color, to pinks, reds and purples. Being seedless, you also don't have to worry about seeding them for desserts or what to do with the seeds as you eat them fresh.

The Reliance will mature from 10 to 15 feet tall and spread from 3 to 4 feet wide. It will require moist, well-drained soil and full sun. You will need to have a strong support for the grapes such as a trellis, arbor or fence. It is best to plant them on the south side of a building or windbreak to give them full sun and to also protect them from strong winds. The Reliance Seedless Grapes will grow from zone 5 to zone 8. When you grow your own grapes, they will be fresh and tastier than from the store. It can also save you money on groceries.

Niagara Is Not Just Falls But Seedless Grapes Too!

patti-nhn — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:33:00 GMT

The Niagara Grape Vitis labrusca 'Niagara' is white like the foam on the water at Niagara Falls. This is a wine quality grape and being seedless makes it easier to use in jams, jellies, desserts and wines. It has a very sweet flavor that is good for eating fresh. Grapes are full of vitamins and antioxidants that help keep us healthy.

The Niagara grape will grow from 15 to 20 feet tall. It is a climbing vine so you will want to have full support for it as it grows. Typically trellises, arbors and fences are often used to grow grapes on. They are often used as hedges when grown on fences. Grapes require moist, well drained soil and full sun. You will want to keep them from strong winds so planting on the south side of a building or windbreak is best. Niagara grapes can be grown from zone 5 to zone 8 and they are a fast grower. Growing your own grapes can be fun and cost saving as well. Home grown grapes are fresher and generally taste better when picked straight from the tree as opposed to the grocery store.

Petit Ami Grapes Used In Muscat Wine

patti-nhn — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:18:00 GMT

The Petit Ami Grape Vitis 'DM-8313-1-CV' (PP17,773) is a white grape that is known to be used in Muscat wine. These grapes have a light rose petal aroma. The vine is vigorous and puts out nice sized clusters of grapes. They tend to have a good blend of sugar and acid levels.

The Petit Ami Grape will grow from 15 to 20 feet tall and spread 3 to 4 feet wide. It is hardy from zone 5 to zone 8. It was developed in central Minnesota so is very cold hardy. Grapes require moist, well-drained soil and full sun. You will need to support the grape vines on trellises, arbors or fences or any strong structure. It is best to plant on the south side of a building or next to a windbreak to protect them from strong winds and will give them full sun.

Marquis Grapes Are White And Seedless

patti-nhn — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:13:00 GMT

If you are looking for a juicy, flavorful, seedless white grape, the Marquis Grape 'Vitis Marquis' would be a good choice for their excellent flavor. The large berries are tasty eaten fresh as well as in desserts, jams, jellies and fruit salads. The flowers will bloom mid-season in June and when the grapes begin to ripen in early to mid September their skin will soften as they continue ripening. Growing your own grapes can save you money and they will be fresher and often tastier than from the grocery store.

The Marquis grape will mature from 20 to 25 feet tall and spread to about 10 to 15 feet wide. It can be trained on a trellis, arbor, fence or any other strong support. They do require moist, well-drained soil. The foliage and fruit are moderately susceptible to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and black rot. Full sun is required for fruit production. Grapes are often considered ornamental for their flowers, color from the grapes, occasional fall color and their interesting vines. Sometimes they are even planted on fences to use as hedges.

St. Croix Grapes Are Vigorous And Hardy

patti-nhn — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:30:00 GMT

The St. Croix Grape, Vitis 'St. Croix' is a vigorous grower and is hardy down to about 25 degrees below zero. The vines are highly productive with clusters of medium to large sized dark blue berries. It is disease resistant especially to powdery mildew and black rot. These grapes ripen in late August. The St. Croix is a very sweet grape and can be used to make wine as well as desserts, jellies, jams, just about anything you can use other fruits in.

This grape will mature from 10 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. As with all grapes, the St. Croix requires moist, well-drained soil and full sun. It is hardy from zone 4 to zone 8. You will need to have a strong support for the grapes to grow on such as a fence, trellis or arbor. You will want to plant the grapes on the south side of a building or a windbreak to keep strong winds from the plants as well as to allow full access to the sun. Growing your own grapes can save you on purchasing grapes from the grocer which would cost much more. Also you will be able to access the freshest grapes right in your garden and they taste better right off the vine.

Yellow Gold Seedless Himrod Grapes

patti-nhn — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:30:00 GMT

The Himrod Grape Vitis 'Himrod' is one of the hardiest white seedless grapes around. Its yellow gold color and medium sized seedless fruits are great eaten fresh. If you want high quality, this grape is for you. The plant will mature to 8 to 10 feet tall and spread from 4 to 5 feet in moist, well drained soil. It is a fast grower and requires full sun to produce properly. It will beign flowering in June and ripens in late August. The Himrod Grape has nice red foliage in the fall. It's tendril climbing vine is very decorative as well.

Grapes will need a strong support to grow on. Trellises, arbors, fences and walls can be used. You will want to keep them protected from strong winds. The Himrod is hardy from zone 5 to zone 8. Grapes are great used eaten fresh, in desserts, jams, jellies and fruit salads. Birds like them too, so you may want to grow an extra for them if you enjoy bird watching. Growing your own grapes is fun, healthier and a lot less costly than buying them from a grocer. Give them a try!