Description
Ampelopsis
There are about 25 species of woody deciduous vines and a few are shrubs in the grape family, in this genus. They occur in the wild in temperate Asia and North America. These climber have simple palmate or pinnate often lobed or toothed leafs. They bear insignificant flowers followed small rather dry berries mostly bluish or blackish. There grown for their autumn color, which is red or yellow as well as for their decorative fruits.
Grow in a sunny or partially shaded position in moisture retentive but well drained soil. It’s fully cold hardy and grows rapidly and needs strong support with plenty of room to spread. After berries are finished cut back hard to the main branches. Great plant to cover a wall or on a tree.
Prone to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, downy mildew, Flea beetles and Japanese beetle damage.
Ampelopsis megalophylla – This vigorous climber derives from Western China and can reach 30’ feet in height. It bears 2 pinnate occasional leaves to 24” long composed of 7-9-egg shape to oblong dark green leaflets with blue-green coloring on the undersides. In late summer flowers are borne followed by top-shaped black fruit ¼” across.
Zones 5-8
