Can Grapevines Look Nice?

Pergolas

• A pergola is an overhead structure, built along a garden path or patio. Pergolas typically do not have walls, but instead have supports for overhead lattice work. Train grapevines up the support posts and prune them to grow only on the overhead lattice, providing shade and fruit for anyone wishing to take a walk under their cool shoots.

Tomato Cage Topiary

• Train and prune a grapevine in such a way that it grows as a topiary. Use an old tomato cage, turned upside down so the narrow end is facing up and the frame resembles a road cone. Place over a planted vine sapling, and train the vine to the outside of the cage, and in concentric circles around the cage until you reach the top. Prune the vine at the top, and allow it to fill out. You will get minimal fruit on such a small plant, but your vine will provide lush greenery and an interesting conversation piece in your garden.

Privacy Fence

• Create a privacy fence or screen between two portions of your garden by training a grapevine to grow up a mesh fence or on a piece of lattice. If you are not interested in harvesting the fruit, clip the clusters when they first begin to emerge in spring and allow your vine to expend its energies producing greenery. Train your vine up from the ground and along the top post of the fence or lattice, and allow its offshoots to grow down from there toward the ground. Plant one vine for every 10 feet of fence you want to fill out.

Intermingle

• Most species of grapevines are not invasive, and are also not bullies to other vines and plants when kept pruned. Consider growing a climbing rose or honeysuckle vine on the same arbor, pergola or lattice as your grapevine. Grapevines are not known for their colorful flowers, but adding a brilliant red rose to contrast against the lush green can bring a splash of color to your vine.