Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)

A vigorous native grape vine found across much of North America, Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) is one of the most cold-hardy grapes in the world. It naturally grows along rivers, forest edges, hedgerows, and fences where it climbs trees and shrubs in search of sunlight.

The fruit grows in small clusters and ripens in late summer to early autumn. The flavour is pleasantly tart and rich, making it excellent for juice, jelly, syrups, and blending with other fruits. Wild grapes have been harvested for generations and remain an important seasonal food for both people and wildlife.

Riverbank grape is also a valuable plant for food forests and ecological gardens. Its abundant flowers support pollinators, and the fruit feeds many birds and animals. When planted thoughtfully along fences, trellises, or woodland edges, it can provide generous harvests while creating excellent wildlife habitat. The vine can also be pruned and guided so that it grows where you want it, allowing you to enjoy the harvest without letting it climb into nearby trees if you prefer to keep them clear.

If small dried fruits are present in the packet, each fruit may contain 1 to 6 seeds.

You can also watch my complete video about growing wild grapes on my YouTube channel.

Planting and cold stratification

Wild grape seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification to break dormancy.

Seeds can be sown outdoors in autumn, allowing nature to provide the winter conditions needed for germination the following spring.

Alternatively, seeds may be stratified in the refrigerator for about 8–12 weeks in a small container of slightly moist soil or sand. After stratification, sow the seeds about 1 cm deep in pots or trays and keep them in a bright location. Germination may take several weeks.

Young vines grow quickly and will benefit from a support such as a fence, trellis, or shrub to climb.

At least 50 seeds per packet