Amur River Grape, Amur grape
Vitis amurensis
Family: Vitaceae
What it is like
Vitis amurensis is a deciduous Climber growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Rich damp woodland soils.
E. Asia - C. and N. Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for winter use. It can also be made into drinks. The fruit is much esteemed. Small and somewhat harsh in flavour, it is succulent but usually bitter. The fruit is about 16mm long and 10mm wide. Young leaves - cooked. Used as a boiled vegetable. The leaves can also be wrapped around other foods and then baked, they impart a pleasant flavour. Young tendrils - raw or cooked.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The root is tonic.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 1
A yellow dye is obtained from the fresh or dried leaves.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
Prefers a deep rich moist well-drained moderately fertile loam. Grows best in a calcareous soil. Succeeds in sun or partial shade though a warm sunny position is required for the fruit to ripen. Very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c, this species is a potential source of hardiness in a breeding programme with the common grape, Vitis vinifera. Plants climb by means of tendrils. Any pruning should be carried out in winter when the plants are dormant otherwise they bleed profusely. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Six weeks cold stratification improves the germination rate, and so stored seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is obtained. Germination should take place in the first spring, but sometimes takes another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in early summer. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, December/January in a frame. These cuttings can be of wood 15 - 30cm long or they can be of short sections of the stem about 5cm long with just one bud at the top of the section. In this case a thin, narrow strip of the bark about 3cm long is removed from the bottom half of the side of the stem. This will encourage callusing and the formation of roots. Due to the size of these cuttings they need to be kept in a more protected environment than the longer cuttings. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist