Ampelopsis cordata (heart leaf peppervine)

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Ampelopsis spp.

porcelainberry

Vitaceae Eastern Asia and North America

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Ampelopsis spp. is a genus of about 25 deciduous woody vines in the grape family, Vitaceae, native to Asia and North America. The vines climb by tendrils to 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) and carry lobed or compound leaves that resemble those of grapes and Virginia creeper. Small greenish flowers in flat clusters are followed by the berries the genus is known for: rounded fruits that ripen through shades of green, lilac, bright blue, and purple, often speckled, giving porcelainberry A. glandulosa its common name. The fruit is spread widely by birds. Several species grow vigorously and climb over shrubs and small trees, and A. glandulosa is listed as an invasive weed across much of the eastern United States, where it smothers other vegetation. The leaves color yellow in autumn. Roots and lower stems become thick and woody with age, making established plants hard to remove.

Native Range

Eastern Asia and North America, where species grow in woodland edges, thickets, streambanks, and disturbed ground. A. glandulosa, native to East Asia, has naturalized widely in the eastern United States.

Suggested Uses

Ampelopsis spp. is grown on fences, pergolas, and trellises as a fast screening vine for its speckled late-season berries. In regions where A. glandulosa is invasive, non-spreading species and native alternatives are used instead. The dense cover shelters birds, which feed on the fruit.

How to Identify

Recognized by grape-like climbing vines with tendrils and by clusters of speckled berries that ripen through green, lilac, turquoise-blue, and purple on the same cluster. Leaves are lobed or compound and resemble grape foliage, and the pith of the stems is white, unlike the brown pith of true grapes. Bark does not peel in long strips as grapevine bark does.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'

Width/Spread6' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Small greenish flowers open in summer, generally June to August, in flat-topped clusters opposite the leaves. They are inconspicuous but draw bees and other insects. The speckled berries follow in late summer and autumn and are carried off by birds, which spread the seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green, turning yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years to fruiting

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Ampelopsis spp. grows in full sun to part shade in most moist, well-drained soils and tolerates poor and disturbed ground. Plants climb vigorously by tendrils and need a fence, trellis, or other support, where they can quickly cover a large area. Vines fruit most heavily in full sun. Because some species, especially A. glandulosa, seed into natural areas and overgrow other plants, they are planted with caution and are restricted or discouraged in many regions. Cutting vines back hard is tolerated, and pulling seedlings while young limits spread.

Pruning

Vines are pruned in late winter while dormant to control size and remove tangled or dead stems, and they regrow strongly from old wood. Summer cutting keeps growth within bounds on a support. Removing fruit clusters before the berries ripen reduces self-seeding.