Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Do not eat the seeds in large quantities, and unripe grapes can cause digestive upset if eaten in quantity. Highly toxic to cats and dogs.
Image of Vitis riparia
Source: OWSL
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Plant Names

image of Vine
Vitis riparia
Riverbank Grape
Vigne des rivages

Synonyms

frost grape
raisin sauvage
vigne sauvage

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: May - Jun
Max Height: 75.0 feet
Max Width: 6.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses: No landscape information available.
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Riverbank Grape is a vigorous vine with woody, twining stems and large, heart-shaped leaves. Small greenish flowers appear in late spring, followed by clusters of dark purple to blue-black grapes that ripen in late summer or early fall. It can spread extensively and may smother smaller shrubs and plants if left unmanaged. It is best suited to large naturalized gardens, fences, arbors, trellises, woodland edges, and property boundaries. Provide a strong support structure; mature vines can become very heavy. Regular pruning in the dormant season is important in a residential garden. It will produce more fruit with good light. It can tolerate moist soils and occasional flooding. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant. It is not recommended for a small garden unless the gardener is prepared to manage a vigorous vine.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Vitis riparia
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Vitis riparia

Specialized Bees Supported by Vitis riparia

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Wisteria frutescens (American Wisteria)
  • Lonicera (Non-Native Honeysuckle)
  • Clematis (Non-native Clematis)
  • Lonicera).1 (Non-Native Honeysuckle)
  • Hedera helix (English Ivy)
  • Ipomoea (Morning Glories)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by November
  • Stratification duration: 180 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Soak for 24h.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Do not eat the seeds in large quantities, and unripe grapes can cause digestive upset if eaten in quantity. Highly toxic to cats and dogs.