Vitis Claret Cloak ('Frovit')
grape [Claret Cloak]
A vigorous, deciduous climber reaching up to 12m in height and 4m across. The 3-5 lobed leaves are purple-red in spring with a woolly white underside, maturing to an olive green colour in summer before turning orange and scarlet-red in the autumn. Insignificant green, slightly fragrant flowers are borne in late spring followed by clusters of purple fruits up to 1cm across in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Orange Red | Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Vitaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten whether fruits are edible or ornamental - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Vitis are vigorous deciduous climbing shrubs with tendrils and attractively lobed leaves, insignificant green flowers followed by often edible fruits; some have excellent autumn foliage colour
- Name status
Trade
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any reasonably fertile, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by layering in autumn or hardwood cuttings in late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 11 in midwinter and again in midsummer, to restrict growth if needed
Pests
May be susceptible to grapevine blister mite, glasshouse red spider mite, brown scale, woolly vine scale and spotted wing drosophila (fruit fly)
Diseases
May be susceptible to Powdery mildews, grey moulds, honey fungus and virus diseases
Get involved
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