Vitis 'St Croix' Red Grape

Vitis 'St Croix' Red Grape is a woody deciduous grapevine that's ornamental as well as productive, prized for fruit and foliage. The vine blooms in tiny yellowish-green flowers in mid to late spring followed by medium-sized clusters of dark bluish-red fruit, harvestable early season, from early summer to early fall. For full flavor, grapes should not be picked before they are fully ripe; watch for fruit to turn a darker color. The grapes have a sweet flavor that makes for an excellent table grape. They also make a great medium to full-bodied, dry, deep red wine with soft tannins and good fruit aromas with currant and other dried fruit flavor qualities.

Vitis 'St Croix' Red Grape is a vigorous cold hardy vine that shows little to now winter injury, even in Zone 3. The first year, the grapevine should be allowed to run freely, but by the second or third year, it should be posted or staked after a heavy pruning, leaving only 2 or 3 buds on the strongest stem. As it grows, keep only the most vigorous sprout to form the main stem. Regular spraying and pruning will maximize fruit production. Grapevines can be cultivated on a wire trellis, espaliered on a courtyard wall, or trained on an arbor, pergola, or fence for a striking garden feature.

Grapevines grow best in sunny locations with deep, medium moist, well-draining soil but are adaptable to a wide range of soils and do especially well in clays and loams that have been improved with organic matter, if they have good drainage. Site location should be sheltered from winter winds. Shallow cultivation and mulch are beneficial. 'St Croix' has good resistance to powdery mildew and black rot.

The vine is self-fertile and will bear fruit without any pollen from other varieties.

Grapes ship as 1-year-old plants.