Purple-leafed ornamental grape
VITACEAE, The Grape family
I first saw this gorgeous thing at Hadspen in Somerset, in the wine-red section of the color garden, tangled up with a Gallica rose, ‘Tuscany Superb’. Later that day at Tintinhull (great minds think alike,) I saw this vine growing on the summer house.
Today I moved Kim’s purple grape from her old garden to the new boulevard garden. It’s on a lovely metal obelisk near the corner. It can grow to 20 feet long, but is easily pruned. The leaves are a dusky purple that turns burgundy in autumn. Plant in full sun for the best color. A cultivar of wine and table grapes, this vine produces small berries that are pretty but not the most flavorful.
