Riverbank Grape Seeds

Also commonly known as Frost Grape, it is a Native American climbing or trailing vine, widely distributed from Quebec to Texas, and Montana to New England. It is long-lived and capable of reaching into the upper canopy of the tallest trees. This plant is highly valued by wildlife and perfect for naturalizing woodland areas or along fences. This vine is a strong climber reaching 12m (2m of annual growth).

This plant is recommended for covering tall fences and various supports as well as concealing unsightly buildings. It can suppress the growth of other plants. The growth form is that of a woody vine. There are well-developed tendrils that wrap around nearby plants or other objects to help the vine climb.

Mature vines have loose, fissured bark, and may attain several inches in diameter. Leaves are alternate, and lobed (there can be dramatic differences in the lobbing pattern from one leaf to the next). The lobes are generally sharp-pointed and there are also large sharp teeth along the margin. The leaves often have opposite tendrils or inflorescences; they are about 2-10 inches long and 2-8 inches broad, sometimes with sparse hairs on the underside of veins, and are glossy green on both surfaces.

The vine has large panicles of delightfully Mignonette scented flowers, a most unusual feature, in early summer. The inflorescence is 6 inches long and is loose, and the flowers are small, fragrant, dioecious, and white or greenish in color. V. riparia blooms in May or June and produces a small 6-15 mm blue-black berry (grape) with a bloom, seeded, juicy, edible, vinous-herbaceous in flavor (not foxy), but usually sour.

Hardiness zones: 2-9. The vine is extremely cold hardy and easily survives temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero. The riparia vine prefers a deep rich moist well-drained moderately fertile loam. This vine does best in calcium rich fertile loamy evenly moist soils for best production and flavorful fruit. It will grow best in a calcareous soil. It will succeed in sun or partial shade though a warm sunny position is required for the fruit to ripen. This is an undemanding, drought tolerant and fully hardy species.

Note: These seeds need to be cold statified before sowing. We recommend using the Seedman's Cold Stratification Kits for cold stratification.