Ampelopsis humulifolia

At a glance

Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −28.9 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a deep rich loam in a warm sheltered position in sun or semi-shade. Dormant plants are hardy to at least -25°c if the wood is fully ripened. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. A very ornamental plant. Plants rarely produce fruits in Britain unless there is a long hot summer. Plants climb by means of coiling tendrils but large plants often need tying in to support the weight of foliage.

Propagation

Seed - sow in pots in a cold frame in the autumn or stratify for 6 weeks at 5°c and sow in the spring. Germination can be quite slow, sometimes taking more than a year. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. When they are more than 20cm tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions, preferably in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long, July/August in a frame. Cuttings or eyes in late autumn or winter. Either place them in the ground in a greenhouse or cold frame, or put them in pots. An eye cutting is where you have just one bud at the top and a short length of stem with a small part of the bark removed. These normally root well and grow away vigorously, being ready to plant into their permanent positions the following autumn. Layering into pots in late summer. Partially sever the stem in spring and then lift the new plants in the autumn.

Edible uses

Fruit and is carried in small bunches like grapes[K]. Leaves. No more details.

Habitat

Woodlands and thickets, 900 - 1500 metres.

Native range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea