What Type of Muscadine Should I Plant?

Marginal Climates

• European grapes depend on well-draining soils, low humidity and cool temperatures. Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia or Muscadiniana rotundifolia) are native to North America and also prefer well-draining soil, however, they thrive in hot, humid climates. They are less prone to moisture-borne diseases than other grape crops. Most varieties will not, however, grow well north of the United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 7a. In marginal growing zones, like 7a, 7b and 6, choose cold hardy varieties like Magnolia, Carlos and Sterling.

Characteristics

• Muscadine varieties fall into one of two broad categories -- black or bronze. In actuality, muscadine grape colors range from dark purple to pink to yellow. Their colors and tastes don't always correspond, for instance, the dark ones aren't always sweeter nor the yellow ones tart and crisp. Overall, muscadines are sweeter than European varieties and their high sugar content makes them suited for jams, jellies, juice and wine.

Planting

• Some muscadine cultivars like the bronze-graped Carlos and the purple-graped Cowart are self-pollinating. Other varieties like Fry, Higgins and Summit require a pollinator. Plants that require a pollinator are unable to flower or pollinate on their own. When planting these types of vines, it is necessary to plant self-pollinating grape vines at a minimum of every third plant and every third row.

Uses

• Carlos and Noble varieties are used for wine while Nesbitt and Sugargate are eaten fresh. Cowart is a grape cultivar that is used for juice and jelly. Many cultivars are versatile; Carlos, for instance, is used not only for wine but for juice, jelly and syrups.

Considerations

• Other factors to consider when a choosing muscadine vine variety is its bloom and harvest time as well as its storage potential. Cultivars that bloom early in the season include Sugargate, Black Beauty and Carlos while Summit, Fry and Sweet Jenny are mid-season vines. Late season varieties like Noble, Granny Vale and Nesbitt should be planted in warmer climates in order to avoid unexpected freezing and crop damage. Some varieties are dry-stemmed and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Carlos, Doreen and Triumph are dry-stemmed but Noble, Regale and Magnolia are wet-stemmed and should be used as soon as possible. Eat them fresh, juice them or prepare them for winemaking.