Ampelopsis

The plants of the genus Ampelopsis are interesting climbers with attractive foliage and fruit. They used to be classified as Vitis but later on they were re-classified in its own genus Ampelopsis, in the grape family Vitaceae.

There are 20 species known, originating from Far East and both Americas, but only several of them are cultivated in Polish gardens.

Depending on the species, the plants can achieve from 2 to 8 m in height. They climb by means of tendrils twining round the support. They have attractive mostly lobed leaves and quite inconspicuous greenish bisexual flowers that open in July-August. The plants are primarily grown for its fruit that are far more decorative than the flowers. Round berries, 6-8 cm in diameter, are produced in bunches and vary in colour depending on a variety. They ripen in September-October.

Requirements.
Ampelopsis have no special requirements and can grow in any ordinary soil, but they grow best and produce best fruit colours in sunny, warm and sheltered spots. No special pruning is needed. When the plant becomes overgrown, you should prune it moderately in early spring (February – the beginning of March) or in summer.

Ampelopsis aconitifolia – Monkshood Vine. It grows up to 4-8 m high (2-3 m a year) with attractive single deeply palmate leaves that are green in summer and turn yellow later in the season. Also in autumn, decorative small ball-like berries appear. They are yellow, orange or brown with small darker spots. A hardy undemanding and disease resistant plant that grows well in ordinary soil. Ideal for use in public green spaces, small and large gardens, covering fences and noise barriers, and screening unsightly constructions and buildings.

Ampelopsis aconitifolia ‘Seattle’. A compact cultivar up to 2-3 m high, selected and introduced to the market by Szczepan Marczynski in 2003. Young shoots and leaf tendrils are red-purple and turn pink with age. Orange-brown berries on bright red stalks. The leaves turn yellow in autumn. A perfect plant for a small garden, growing over an arbour, a pergola or another garden support. It’s at its best in a sheltered position. Ampelopsis bodinieri – Pepper Vine. A climber growing up to 3-6 m high (0,5-1 m a year). Deep green leaves, glossy on the upper side and blue-green underneath, coarsely toothed, with 3-5 slightly noticeable lobes, resemble the leaves of Platanus. Red leaf petioles. Small round violet berries covered with small white spots. Easy to grow, particularly suitable for small gardens, for growing over arbours or fences.

Ampelopsis glandulosa ‘Elegans’ – Porcelain Berry Vine. A stunning compact cultivar (up to 2 m high) native to Japan. Very decorative deeply lobed white, pink and cream leaves. Attractive pink-red young shoots, leaf petioles and fruit stalks. In autumn, handsome berries are a welcome bonus. They change colour from white-blue through purple to violet-blue (turquoise). It thrives in sunny, warm and sheltered positions. It’s particularly useful for a small garden, or as an element of a bigger garden composition that can be admired from close up. Its stems with fruits are used in flower arrangements. Comparatively frost hardy, for instance, it can winter in central Poland without any special protection from cold.