Content
Vichi grape is an ornamental plant in the form of a vine, reaching a length of 10-15 m and even 20-30 m. It grows for years in one place, adapts well to both bright sun and shade. Used for vertical gardening and as a ground cover.
Description of Vichi grapes with photos
Tripointed Vici grape is a perennial plant that climbs vertical supports and walls like a hop. It is grown almost everywhere, including in Russia. This is due to the unpretentiousness of the culture and high winter hardiness. The vine has other names, for example, ivy-shaped maiden grape or parthenocissus trifoliate Vici.
A characteristic feature of young shoots is that they are quite thin and colored red. Over time, the color changes to brown-green and darkens somewhat. The branches are then covered with a layer of wood and become strong and powerful.
The root system is of a superficial type, does not take up much space and does not go deep.This must be kept in mind when caring for the crop - Vichi grapes need regular watering. The liana can even be grown on the balcony, since it does not require deep pots.
The shoots produce tendrils that cling to all types of vertical supports, with the exception of metal ones. In addition, the plant secretes a sticky secretion, thanks to which it is securely attached, for example, to a wooden or brick surface.
The foliage is five-lobed, very beautiful, reminiscent of an old tile roof. The leaves are green in color and turn purple, red and brown in autumn. Remains decorative until the onset of the first frost.
Vici grapes are great for vertical gardening
The flowering period begins in mid-July and lasts until September, and in warm regions until October. The flowers are small, light green in color, with a hint of yellowish. The fruits are represented by miniature berries. Like ordinary grapes, they are collected in clusters. The diameter of each berry is no more than 8 mm, the color is black and gray. Inside each of them 1 or 2 seeds ripen.
Although the berries are not poisonous, they can cause digestive upset.
How fast does Vici grape grow?
The plant produces large shoots that reach a length of 10-30 meters. But in the first year after planting they reach only 1.5 m, and after another year - 3 m. If good care is provided, the rate of further growth of Vichi grapes will increase significantly and can reach 3-4 m per year.
Types and varieties of Vici grapes
In total, 19 types of ornamental Vichi grapes are known, but only two of them are grown in Russia:
- Virginia five-leaf (Parthenocissus quinquefolia);
- tripointed (or trilobed) Parthenocissus tricuspida
Based on them, breeders have obtained several Vichi varieties, among which the most popular can be identified:
- Star Showers (Parthenocissus Star Showers) is a girlish grape with variegated leaves of white and green shades. It grows quite slowly, so even after a few years it reaches a length of only 68 m. Looks great on arches and other vertical structures. In winter, this Vichi grape variety can be left in open ground only in the middle zone, the Volga region and in the south.
- Red wall (Parthenocissus red wall) produces numerous bronze leaves. Over time, the color changes to dark green, and in the fall it becomes bright red. The foliage surface of this Vici grape variety is glossy and very attractive. It reaches a length of 20-30 m, but at the age of 10 years it reaches only 7-8 m. Moreover, the annual growth is 1-2 m.
- Yellow Wall (Parthenocissus Yellow Wall) – this Vici grape variety is interesting for its foliage, which with the onset of autumn takes on a bright lemon hue. The foliage is very dense, so it really resembles roof tiles. The vines reach their maximum length at 20 years old - they grow up to 14 m. But in general, the growth rate is small, so caring for the plant is quite simple.
- The Vici grape (Parthenocissus inserta) also produces lobed leaves with a glossy surface. The color is plain green. The edges of the plates are serrated and jagged, so they look quite elegant. In autumn the foliage turns purple. The growth rate is average - by the age of 10 the length reaches 4-5 m.
- Vici Engelmann grape (Parthenocissus Engelmannii) is distinguished by smaller foliage and the ability to grow well in the shade.The leaf blades have jagged edges with slight curves. The surface is without gloss, with slight pubescence. The annual growth rate 2-3 years after planting reaches 1.5 m. Therefore, by the age of ten, the vine grows to 9-10 m.
Advantages and disadvantages
Vici grapes are unpretentious and very decorative. This is one of the best crops for vertical gardening. There are quite a lot of advantages, one of the main features is that the vines are quite attractive both in summer and autumn.
Vici grapes remain decorative in spring, summer and autumn
Pros:
- undemanding to care and soil;
- high winter hardiness (in some varieties);
- leaves are numerous and create a beautiful background;
- easy to reproduce;
- protects the house from precipitation and overheating in the sun.
Minuses:
- some varieties grow very slowly;
- the vine requires pruning;
- the root system grows well - neighboring plants may be damaged.
Planting Vici grapes in spring
Vici grapes are unpretentious, so even novice gardeners can cope with cultivation. Planting can be planned both in spring (second half of April) and autumn (September). Choose a place that is illuminated and fairly dry, preferably on a small hill. A mandatory requirement is the presence of a vertical structure that will support the plant:
- house wall;
- alcove;
- fence;
- pergola;
- arch.
The algorithm for planting Vichi grapes is quite simple:
- For 2-3 months, dig up and fertilize the soil, for example, with compost (5-7 buckets per 1 m2).
- Mark several holes with a depth and width of 50*50 cm. In this case, the distance between them should be at least 50 cm.
- Pebbles and other small stones are placed at the bottom, and a layer of fertile soil is placed on top of them.
- Vichi grape seedlings are placed in the center of the hole, covered with earth, and tamped down a little. This must be done so that the root collar necessarily goes to a shallow depth.
- Water and mulch after a few days. If planting is done in the fall, be sure to dig in some soil and lay down straw, hay or other material.
Care instructions
Vici grapes are unpretentious, and therefore easy to care for. It is recommended to water young seedlings 3-4 times a month. Adult vines are given water half as often, but during drought they do this more often, trying to maintain a constant level of soil moisture.
Grapes are moisture-loving, so watering should be regular
It is recommended to periodically loosen the soil and remove weeds. To ensure that there are as few of them as possible and that the soil does not heat up in the heat, lay straw, peat, grass clippings or other mulch.
As for fertilizers, they can only be applied once a year. When the first leaves appear, the bushes are watered with mullein infusion 1:10 or bird droppings 1:20. Instead, you can use other organic matter, for example, an infusion of cut grass or liquid potassium gummate. But it is undesirable to give complex mineral fertilizers, since Vichi grapes react poorly to inorganic substances.
In early spring, sanitary pruning is carried out annually - diseased, old, dry and broken branches are removed. As necessary, in summer and autumn, you should also do a shaping haircut. Visually outline the general contour of the vine and remove all protruding shoots.
How Vici grapes propagate
You can propagate a plant in different ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- root suckers;
- layering.
Vici grape cuttings
The simplest option is to propagate the vine with cuttings. They are harvested in spring or early summer, when formative pruning is done. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Cut young green shoots 10-15 cm long.
- An oblique lower cut is made and placed overnight in a solution of a growth stimulator, for example, Zircon.
- Plant in containers, cover with a jar, regularly ventilate and water.
- The first year they are grown at home, and at the end of next spring (in May) they are transferred to open ground.
- Be sure to cover it thoroughly for the winter.
Photos in landscape design
The three-leaf Vici grape is widely used in garden design. This is one of the best plants for vertical gardening. Below are some photos:
- Decoration of the gazebo.
- Use as a ground cover.
- Creating a hedge on a support.
- Decorating the walls of the house.
- Planting on the balcony (for this use large flowerpots, boxes or pots).
Conclusion
Vichi grapes are distinguished by their unpretentiousness, and some varieties are distinguished by their high winter hardiness. It is easy to grow and propagate. The main condition is timely watering and pruning, and, if necessary, shelter for the winter. Diseases and pests practically do not affect vines, so both experienced gardeners and novice amateurs can handle the cultivation.
Reviews of ornamental grapes Vichi
