Carlos Muscadine Grape Vine

Before the Civil War, when great feasts were held on the colonnaded porches of the antebellum mansions throughout the south, toasts were given in crystal glasses filled with sparkling bronze sweet wine. This wine wasn't from France or South America. It was homemade from the delicious berries of native muscadine grapes that grew wild throughout the southeast. You can still find a few muscadine vines in the southern wild, but why go to all of that trouble if you can grow your own vines right at home?

Carlos Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia 'Carlos') is a classic grape vine that produces large, bronze grapes. The fruit is tangy sweet and juicy and makes great home-made wine, jellies and jams. They are even fantastic snacks eaten straight from the vine. (Try chilling them a few hours in the fridge, though, for an addictive treat!)

These are quick-growing vines that will cover your trellis, arbor or shade structure in no time. In the fall, the big leaves put on a colorful show, while winter brings fascinating bark and vine structure to your garden.

These vines are native to the southeast from Florida to Delaware and through Texas and Oklahoma. They are self-fertile, so if you only have room for one, it will still give you a great harvest. But if you have room for more...well...trust us, you're going to want more!