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Ampelopsis glandulosa

porcelain berry

Vitaceae Temperate eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Ampelopsis glandulosa is a vigorous deciduous woody vine climbing 10-25 feet (3-7.5 m) by forked tendrils that grip stems and supports. The leaves are broadly heart-shaped, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) wide, and range from shallowly to deeply three- to five-lobed, with coarse-toothed margins and a rough upper surface. Small greenish flowers in flat clusters open opposite the leaves from June through August, followed by round berries 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) across that ripen through pale lilac, green, turquoise, and bright blue, often several colors in one cluster. The vine grows quickly, climbing over shrubs and small trees and blanketing them in a dense layer of foliage that blocks light. Birds eat the berries and spread the seed widely, and the species is listed as invasive across much of the eastern and central United States. It resprouts strongly from a deep root after being cut, which makes established vines hard to remove. The roots run deep, and seedlings appear far from the parent plant.

Native Range

Native to temperate eastern Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. Introduced to North America as an ornamental and now naturalized in the eastern and central United States, growing along forest edges, stream banks, fence lines, and disturbed ground below about 3,000 feet (900 m).

Suggested Uses

Once planted as an ornamental for its multicolored berries on arbors and fences, it is now discouraged or prohibited in many areas because of its invasive spread. It has little remaining managed garden use in regions where it escapes. Removal and replacement with non-invasive vines is the usual course where it is established.

How to Identify

Recognized by grape-like lobed leaves and clusters of multicolored berries in lilac, green, turquoise, and blue. Cut stems show white pith, unlike the brown pith of true grapes (Vitis spp.), and the bark stays tight rather than shredding. The berries are dry and hard inside rather than juicy like grapes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 25'

Width/Spread10' - 20'

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Flowers from June through August, with small greenish flowers that are easy to miss among the foliage. The flowers are insect-pollinated over several weeks. Berries develop through late summer and reach their full range of colors in early fall.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

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 clay sand

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to partial shade on moist to average soils and tolerates a wide range of disturbed conditions. It grows very fast, climbing over and shading out shrubs and small trees within a season or two. It resprouts from a deep root after cutting, so removal involves repeated cutting or digging out the root crown. Birds spread the seed widely, and seedlings appear far from parent plants. Where it is regulated as invasive, sale and planting are restricted under state laws.

Pruning

Cutting the vine back to the ground does not kill it, since it resprouts strongly from the root. Repeated cutting through the season, or digging out the root crown, is needed to weaken it. Removing fruiting stems before the berries ripen limits bird-spread seed.

Pruning Schedule

summer