Grape Vines Native to Ohio

The Summer Grape

• Vitis aestivalis "Norton," also known as the summer grape, is a famous red grape in wine-making circles and it is also a Ohio native. The summer grape is the oldest American grape still commercially grown for wine production. Plants hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 7 grow up to 20 feet in height and produce fragrant blooms in May and June. Plants prefer full sun and need moderate watering. They tolerate a range of soils, as long as drainage is good, prefer south-facing slopes, but will grow in more sheltered locations. To maximize your crops, support these vines and spray them for pests. Vines are self-pollinating.

The River Bank Grape,

• Vitis riparia, romantically named "the river bank" grape, bears fragrant yellowish-green flowers, blue-black grapes and reddish-brown peeling bark. These showy plants are good climbers and can reach 35 feet or higher. Vitis riparia requires a medium amount of watering, dry to moist soil and can tolerate partial to full shade. This plant grows fast and is hardy in USDA Zone 3. It's tolerant of floods, disease and insects, unlike many other grape vines. Vitis riparia attracts a variety of wildlife to a garden. Songbirds, waterfowl and game birds complete for these grapes.

The Frost Grape

• The frost or winter grape, "Vitis vulpina," is a native plant that grows throughout Ohio. It's sweet grapes are blueish-black, Plants are hardy to USDA Zone 3, if provided with protection from harsh winter winds. Frost grape vines form thick screens, ideal for arbors. Like most grape vines, Vulpina is vulnerable to some diseases like black rot, powdery mildew and crown gall. Insects such as Phylloxera and leafhoppers attack plants. Spray frequently and ensure soil is adamantly drained to avoid these issues.

The Fox Grape

• The fox grape, "Vitis labrusca," is a seedless Ohio native. Vines bear fragrant greenish-white blooms and red fruits in mid-season or early fall in USDA Zone 5. The plants are hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8 and grow up to 20 feet in height. They along the banks of Lake Erie. The vines require full sun and a medium amount of watering. The flowers attract bees into the garden. The ripe grapes are also attractive to wasps and hornets.